The Silhouette

The ever-broadening appeal of marijuana See pg. C1 www.thesil.ca

McMASTER UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

FROM CAMPUS TO YOU AND BACK AGAIN

EST. 1930

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010 / VOLUME 81, NO. 9

Service strike avoided Students rally behind union as tentative deal is reached with Mac SAM COLBERT

SENIOR NEWS EDITOR

The possibility of service worker strike at Mac has been averted, at least for now. A tentative agreement between the University and the Service Employees International Union (SIEU) Local 2 was reached in the late hours of Tuesday, Oct. 12.

Though this agreement still has to be ratified by the members of Local 2, it is a positive development after the bleak prospects witnessed earlier this week.

“It will be dirty,” said SIEU Representative Denise Cochrane on the afternoon of Oct. 12. “[McMaster has] 22 bosses to maintain 56 buildings. Good luck.”

She made these remarks at a rally held for McMaster’s maintenance, cleaning and custodial staff. Their union’s collective contract expired at the end of September.

“All we want is a decent contract like everybody else at this university,” said Cochrane. “We’re not asking for much, just enough to maintain.”

After delaying an Oct. 1 strike date, the Union was poised to begin picketing at 1 a.m. of the morning following the rally, though McMaster Daily News reported a tentative agreement reached just in time on Tuesday evening.

The University’s immediate plan in the event of a strike included the closure of a number of campus cafés and a halt to the sale of certain disposable products, such as fountain drink cups. Conditions would have deteriorated from there if the strike had continued.

Eighty per cent of the Union voted against the contract presented by the University on Oct. 7. The proposal included an offer to increase hourly wages by $0.98 to $4.48. However, it also entailed cuts to employee benefits and sick days, which negated the advantages of the modest wage increase, according

MICHELLE NG / THE SILHOUETTE

Campus group Students for Social Justice organized a rally for the members of SIEU Local 2 on Tuesday. to Cochrane. By comparison, she called the expired contract, which set employee wages at between $15.02 and $30.15 per hour, “perfect”.

The Union will vote on the ratification of the new agreement on Oct. 14.

During the negotiations, McMaster stood firmly behind Ontario’s wage freeze for public sector employees. Reluctantly, the Union was prepared to accept the

freeze provided that other employee groups, including administration, do the same when their contracts expired. The school refused.

In its Labour Relations Updates, the school contended that, “In addition to [wage] increases, all members of the bargaining unit will receive lump sum payments that vary according to job classification.” It further noted that “McMaster continues to pay higher than market rates for cleaning and custo-

dial employees.”

Tuesday’s rally was hosted

by Students for Social Justice, a student group on campus that has taken an interest in the matter.

Organizers of the event contacted Union representatives on the Sunday prior to organize the event, which took place at noon on the corner of the BSB lawn across from Mills Plaza. Several passersby stopped to pick up “I support SEIU” stickers and listen to the workers

share their side of the story.

The recent labour dispute and union rallies are highly reminiscent of last year’s Teaching Assistant strike, and while McMaster is looking to trim operating costs, it is doubtful that any parties on campus are eager to relive 2009’s picket lines.

Check the Silhouette in print and online for updates on the agreement.

City scraps campus polling station Voters in residence must go elsewhere for Oct. 25 municipal election CHRIS ERL

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Ten votes determined the future of voting on campus.

In the 2006 Municipal election, ten students exercised their right to vote and cast ballots at a special polling station on campus.

Thanks to the meager turnout four years ago, students who live in residence this year will not be able to vote here, as the city has decided that placing a polling station on McMaster’s campus is not an efficient use of resources.

The MSU has taken a stand on the issue and has laid out plans to increase voter awareness ahead of the Oct. 25 election. In a rare showing of solidarity, the SRA unanimously passed a resolution at their Oct. 3 meeting that expressed disappointment with the city’s decision and called upon officials to rectify the imbalance as quickly as possible.

VP (Education) Joe Finkle said that the MSU offered incentives to the city governance in hopes

of encouraging it to locate a polling station on campus when municipal officials contacted them with their intentions over the summer.

“Despite us laying out what we’re going to do to help them, it was still an emphatic ‘not going to happen’,” Finkle said, noting that the university’s Housing and Conferences Services department was not consulted during the city’s deliberation on polling locations.

Finkle explained that making voting less accessible will not rectify the issue of low student voter turnout. “It seems really counterproductive to say ‘students don’t vote, so let’s encourage voting by taking away their polling station’,” he said. As for the argument that placing a polling station on campus will be too expensive, Finkle dismissed the reasoning as contrary to democratic ideals, bluntly saying, “you can’t put a price on voting.”

The City of Hamilton’s Coordinator of Elections, Tony Fallis, explained the decision as an issue of allocating increasingly scarce re-

sources as best the city can. For the 2006 election, polling stations were placed on McMaster’s campus and at Mohawk College, both of which yielded exceptionally low turnout.

10 votes were cast on campus, and 11 were cast at Mohawk, forcing the city to reconsider the location of its polling stations.

“We’re certainly not discouraging the university vote, but our history has shown that we just can’t get enough students out,” Fallis said. He was stunned by the poor results, but could not offer an explanation as to why students failed to utilize the offered polling station.

“I don’t know whether it’s apathy because they’re not associated with Hamilton politics or at this point in time they tend to go towards provincial or federal politics. With only 10 students voting, it didn’t make sense for 2010.”

Despite the new challenge to increased participation, Finkle said the MSU still has a plan in place to boost student awareness and turnout, both on election day

and during the new City Council’s term.

“We’re going to be keeping track of the numbers [that vote],” Finkle said, since there is no better way to track student voter turnout without a campus polling station. He continued explaining the reasoning behind maintaining informal records, saying that “there are no metrics whatsoever, so we figured we can use this to submit to the city showing how many people

we walked to the polling station to show it is worth it next year.”

The MSU hopes to increase voter turnout so that the city reconsiders their decision in time for the 2014 election. Fallis noted that the city was open to the idea of putting a polling station on campus for the next election in four years time. “At their young age, we want them to be the electors of the future.”

Inside the Silhouette this week...

Cuts to early outreach: pg. A4

Clothing Swap: pg. C2

Coming home to change: pg. A7

Slowing Canadian economy: pg. C7

Women’s rugby: pg. B1

SoCal music: pg. D6

”

A2 • THE SILHOUETTE

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

the

PRESIDENT’S PAGE Nick Shorten VP (Finance)

Mary Koziol President

Joe Finkle VP (Education)

John McIntyre VP (Administration)

LETTER CAMPAIGN TACKLES TUITION RISE An influx of letters regarding ongoing tuition increases made their way to MSU President Mary Koziol’s desk recently - her explanation of the costs and what students can do about it.

Mary Koziol President president@msu.mcmaster.ca ext. 23885

I have received quite a number of letters in the past few days as part of a letter writing campaign. These letters have come from students concerned with tuition increases at McMaster, and asked me to explain the MSU’s lobbying efforts to halt these increases.

Let me begin by saying how pleased I was to receive these letters. I am a firm believer that students are not apathetic and such a concerted effort clearly demonstrates my point.

Furthermore, I am not adverse to criticism of myself, or of the organization. After all, it is not my organization, it is ours.

One of the concerns voiced in these letters was that the MSU website does not clearly state what we are doing to prevent ongoing tuition increases. I think this is a fantastic point, so let me begin with an explanation of tuition in Ontario and then I can answer the question.

First off, we should examine why tuition continues to rise.

The primary reason is because provincial funding does not keep pace with the cost of operating McMaster. The province dictates the cap to which tuition may rise in a given year, and then the University determines the final number.

Are we pleased that tuition continues to rise in Ontario?

No. Do we understand why it continues to rise? Yes. The

reason is, simply put, that it costs money to run a university and those costs continue to increase. The costs are not under the command of government; they are the costs of doing business and facilitating daily operations in this province.

Every year the cost of utilities, living, materials, labour, pensions and everything else goes up and the University could not afford to operate if tuition never rose. The MSU is greatly concerned that McMaster and our fellow Ontario universities increasingly rely on tuition fees as a source of revenue.

Tuition now composes nearly 50% of McMaster’s operating budget, while 20 years ago tuition composed only a third.

I can now address what the MSU is doing to combat rising tuition rates. Primarily, we are working with our partners in the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) to lobby the provincial government to increase government funding. The problem is not so much that the University has a willingness to increase tuition.

For PSE institutions, this is an inevitability. The problem is that Ontario maintains the lowest per capita funding for post-secondary education in the country, thus driving up tuition costs as institutions combat rising inflation.

This may seem as though the MSU is relying on others to carry out our agenda, but I assure you that is not the case. If McMaster were to cut tuition without a corresponding increase in funding from the

government, there would be of the University as one big pot massive layoffs and budget cuts. of money, but rather, it houses Furthermore, as a single a very complex budgetary student’s union talking to the system. Thus, the funds for the province, we would expect to renovations for Commons came make little progress, but as an out of the Hospitality Services alliance, working together as budget and have little to do with 140,000 students, we carry a tuition increases. The money united voice to Queens Park that raised through food services on has, and will continue to achieve campus and through Paradise tangible results for students. As Catering is cycled back into this an example, OUSA worked budget to pay for things like with the government last year renovations. so that the 20,000 new students Therefore, the fact that this entering post-secondary would one area of campus received a be fully-funded. This investment facelift, complete with flat screen of $330 million ensured that televisions, does not and will the per-student funding would not have an impact on tuition at at least not McMaster. decline As an The problem is that further and aside, if was one of you are Ontario maintains the few new not happy the lowest per capita spending with the funding for initiatives quality post-secondary in the and prices education in the provincial provided budget. at Centro country, thus driving M o r e o v e r, and feel up tuition costs as OUSA and that these institutions combat our seven f u n d s rising inflation. member could have schools been more were instrumental in creating effectively allocated, that is the six month interest-free grace certainly an area for potential period before OSAP payments advocacy. begin after graduation.

On the point of faculty Returning to the letters I salaries, McMaster currently received, they articulated dismay has the 6th highest weighted that, despite the fact that tuition average of salaries in Ontario, continues to rise, McMaster is behind Toronto, Queen’s, home to many faculty with Waterloo, York and Guelph. six-figure salaries, along with The weighted average Ontario ‘superfluous spending’, such as faculty salary is $112,222, with the recent renovations for the McMaster paying an average new Centro. $111,255.

I believe some clarification While it certainly is high, is necessary. We cannot think paying faculty members a

MSU Features: Student Health Education Centre You have our pins, pens and mirrors, seen our posters and possibly even had a picture taken with Captain Condom at a TwelvEighty bar night.But how well do you really know SHEC? Yes,

we are the place that provides FREE condoms, but we do a lot more than that!

We are the Student Health Education Centre (SHEC), brought to you by the McMaster Students Union.

Our services include nonjudgemental and confidential peer support on any health issue or concern, a lending library and informational pamphlets, free anonymous on-site pregnancy testing and of course, free condoms, lubricant and VCF (Vaginal Contraceptive Film). All of our student volunteers are trained by health care professionals to be able to provide you with accurate, up-to-date health information and we are always willing to lend a supportive ear.

SHEC is proud to announce our latest partnership alongside the MSU with the Canadian Blood Services Program Partners for Life! Help us to reach our goal of 450 units of blood donated by the end of 2010. Every time you give blood, you could save up to three lives with your one donation.

For more information, to book

The President’s Page is sponsored by the McMaster Students Union.

It is a space used to communicate with the student body about the projects, goals and agenda of the MSU Board of Directors.

www.msu.mcmaster.ca

competitive salary is extremely important in order to retain the best faculty.

Having said this, it is something that we pay particular attention to, especially through our provincial lobbying organization OUSA, given that the provincial government appears to have similar concerns with salary inflation and has asked all universities to freeze wages for two years.

McMaster faculty have (for the most part) a strong relationship with the administration, as does the MSU. What I mean by this is not that any individual group should (or does) acquiesce to the others, but rather that we maintain, for the most part, a mutually respectful relationship.

I want to emphasize that maintaining a relationship with McMaster administration does not mean we agree on every issue; our discord over the closing of the Art History program is a prime example of when we spoke out because we felt student concerns were not being addressed.

I was glad to receive these letters because it illuminated a pressing area of concern for students. I will do my best to have these concerns reflected in my lobbying efforts. I will do my utmost to be proactive, to be a defender of students and to make decisions that will provide the most benefit for us.

However, remember that as students, you power the engine of the MSU. I encourage you to set the agenda of the MSU by keeping those letters coming.

an appointment, or to have a friendly volunteer accompany you to an appointment, drop into SHEC or reach us at ext. 22041. Blood Donor clinics are taking place on the 3rd floor of the Student Centre in CIBC Hall Tuesday, November 9th and Monday, November 22nd.

We will be hosting the annual SEX 101 on Tuesday, October 19th, 8 pm at TwelvEighty. You can also tune in to CFMU FM 93.3 on Thursdays at 5:30 pm for The SHEC Show!

For all things SHECxy, drop in Monday to Thursday from 9:30 pm to 6:30 pm or Friday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, MUSC 202.

Katie Ferguson SHEC Coordinator shec@msu.mcmaster.ca ext. 22041.

THE SILHOUETTE • A3

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

By-election draws four candidates CHRIS ERL

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Four candidates have filed papers to run for a single open Social Sciences seat on the SRA, launching an election where other seats were simply filled by acclamation. Representing a number of different years and departments within Soc Sci, each candidate has a unique perspective on what they will do with a voice at the SRA table. Polling will be open online on Oct. 21.

Justin Korolyk Korolyk, a fourth year political science student, wants to help the MSU with its branding crisis. After assisting Kieran Alkerton’s presidential campaign and standing in the SRA Generals last year, Korolyk became heavily involved in the McMaster Social Sciences Society and the Centre for Student Development.

He is currently the Director of Promotions for both organizations, and is placing a heavy emphasis on his skills in the field.

He believes his talents will benefit the MSU in the area of promotions, as he stated “they don’t know where they want to go with their brand and I want to help.”

Apathy is also a concern of Korolyk’s.

Being a solid role model for students is something he believes in - “if you have SRA members who want to go out and speak to students, that’ll be something they’ll really respond to.”

Korolyk is also involved with the social side of the MSU, as a member of the Maroons.

Jean-Marc Metrailler Third-year political science and economics student Jean-Marc Metrailler is already deeply involved with the MSU, sitting on the By-Laws and Procedures Committee and attending SRA meetings on his own time.

Metrailler is the Policy Director for the McMaster Young Liberals and VP Promotions for the Canadian International Council.

He highlighted his experience and maintained that it would be a major asset in the campaign. Improving student involvement is also important to Metrailler. “What I want to do with my candidacy is really engage students and make sure communication is a top priority.”

Transparency, accountability and honesty are central to Metrailler’s candidacy. “I want it to be less inside, back-room deals, more out in the open, more direct participation by the students,” he said.

“I really think the ideas and the experience I have will let me accomplish that if I’m an SRA member,” he maintained, also noting that his comprehensive plan will cover specific plans in more detail.

Ryan Sparrow First year student Ryan Sparrow wants the MSU to become more involved in advocacy efforts, especially on the tuition front.

“I’m going to campaign to make the MSU more actively involved in the tuition decreasing campaign, rather than having it be a side item they address once in a while. I think that’s the primary goal of a student union,” he said, mentioning that would be his prime focus if he is elected.

Sparrow mentioned he has a considerable amount of political experience, having been involved in federal and municipal political campaigns in the past as well as recent involvement with campus groups and various social justice organizations.

He has also been attending SRA meetings, to better gauge what kind of affairs student leaders are dealing with. “When I went to the meeting of the MSU, I noticed a lot of the issues concerning students weren’t really addressed,” he said.

Sparrow was one of the few observers to be granted speaking rights at the Oct. 3 SRA meeting.

PHOTOS BY JONATHON FAIRCLAUGH / ASST. PHOTO EDITOR

Siobhan Stewart An anthropology student in her third year, Siobhan Stewart’s passion is being a distinct, strong voice for all students, particularly those in Social Sciences. “I’d like to be that friendly face and be recognizable so that anybody can come up to me, even though I’m representing my faculty, that’s my job as a student leader,” Stewart said.

Furthermore, Stewart also sits on the University Planning Committee, and is the VP Academic for her faculty society. In addition, Stewart is becoming involved with the OUSA Street Team to better represent students at all levels.

“I’m running for the SRA to really reach out to those students and get as much of an active voice as possible brought to the MSU level,” Stewart stated.

She also maintains that she can bridge the gap between students and administration, adding “I sit on the university planning committee, so I’m one of those few students who get to intermingle and talk with university administration.” Stewart feels this is one asset that the SRA could benefit directly from.

Seven new SRA members acclaimed SAM COLBERT

SENIOR NEWS EDITOR

Acclamations helped fill a number of the open seats this by-election season. Despite their seemingly easy move to the MSU’s legislative body, the real challenge now lies in the months ahead as the seven new members join the ranks of the SRA.

Engineering

Commerce

kinesiology

NUrsing

Jacob Fink Fifth-year student Jacob Fink has already been involved with the SRA through committee work and attendance at meetings.

Further, he currently serves as Coordinator of the MSU’s spirit team, the Maroons, which has a strong presence during Welcome Week.

He sees student government as the next logical step in his pursuit to engage with the student body that he has come to love.

“I’ve just developed an attachment to the school…I’ve seen the change that can be made, and I want to have my voice heard and give my opinions.”

Bradley Chong, who is in fourthyear, expressed a desire to represent students in his faculty by giving them a voice, rather than having them be subject to top-down authority.

Daniel Kim Daniel Kim and Leo Huang have similar goals and experiences. Both became involved with organizations among their fellow business students as well as cultural groups at McMaster, including the Chinese Students & Scholars Association and the organizers behind cultural event Pangaea.

Huang has a vision for more collaboration between the MSU and Commerce students. He plans to do his best to inform his classmates the events of the Students Union and to encourage them to become involved in the budgetary side of things.

Huang hopes that having a background in finance will come in handy on this pursuit. “I think [the two groups] have a lot to offer each other,” he said.

Alasdair Rathbone Both Kinesiology seats were open for new candidates, and the two that came forward were fourth-year Angus Wood and secondyear Alasdair Rathbone.

Although Wood hasn’t had much experience with the MSU, he feels that it needs to be more open and accessible to students.

He hopes to share a “behind-the-scenes look” into Mac’s student politics with his constituency.

Rathbone has political experience, both through the Conservative Party and the Anglican Church, but he feels his most important qualification is pride in his program.

A lack of will to represent Kinesiology in the SRA has sparked debate in the past, with some arguing that the seats should be folded into Science. Wood and Rathbone hope to rid the Assembly of that notion.

Andrew Marlowe Like Kinesiology, both of Nursing’s seats were vacant prior to the by-election process.

Third-year Andrew Marlowe, who transferred to the faculty this year from Science, stepped up to claim one seat, though the other remained vacant by the nomination deadline.

Marlowe has been heavily involved with the Society of Off-Campus Students (SOCS), as well as online student forum MacInsiders. His goals are related to “keeping students informed, and steering policy in a way that benefits students,” particularly when it comes to McMaster’s email and registration technologies.

Although Marlowe is acclaimed, the remaining seat was opened for an extra few days to Nursing students, who will begin their campaigning a little late if more than one candidate comes forward.

Bradley Chong

Leo Huang

Angus Wood

One seat remains unfilled

PHOTOS BY JONATHON FAIRCLAUGH / ASST. PHOTO EDITOR

A4 • THE SILHOUETTE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

Students arrested at Carleton Cuts to funding for after outdoor pro-life display first gen outreach Campus club president calls trespassing charges “content-based discrimination” ALEXANDRA POSAZKI

CUP ONTARIO BUREAU CHEIF

TORONTO (CUP) — Five students were arrested on trespassing charges at Carleton University on Oct. 4 for attempting to set up a controversial pro-life display.

Four of the students arrested were Carleton students, while the fifth was from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont.

Among them was Ruth Lobo, a fourth-year human rights student and president of Carleton Lifeline, the Ottawa university’s pro-life club.

Lobo said the club had applied to use a large outdoor space to set up the Genocide Awareness Project, an exhibit that “compares abortion to other forms of genocide in a graphic visual way.”

Jason MacDonald, a spokesperson for the university, said other jurisdictions have deemed the content disturbing or offensive to some people because of its graphic nature.

“We need to balance the students’ right to express themselves on this particular issue and to do so freely with the fact that some people may not be comfortable seeing larger-than-life images of aborted fetuses as they walk through campus,” said MacDonald.

MacDonald said the university offered the students the opportunity to display their exhibit in an auditorium called Porter Hall, an area that Lobo calls isolated and “off the beaten path.”

The students were also permitted to set up a table in a hightraffic area on campus in order to hand out leaflets and direct interested students to the display.

But the students declined, stating that they will not express their views in a closed room, as the purpose of the exhibit is to dialogue

with students and challenge their views on abortion.

In a YouTube video of the arrests filmed by Stephanie Gray, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Bioethical Reform, Lobo tells a university official, “We will proceed, because we are students on this campus and are being silenced because we are expressing a view that is unpopular.”

Lobo calls the university’s decision content-based discrimination. She believes this issue is about censorship and freedom of speech rather than just ideological beliefs.

“This censorship should concern everyone, regardless of one’s views on abortion,” said Lobo.

“It’s the equivalent of telling Martin Luther King that he can give his ‘I have a dream’ speech in his church basement and invite white people to come and see it if they want to,” she added.

“That’s not how freedom of speech works, and that’s not how we discuss things that are controversial, on a university campus especially.”

Gray agreed.

“Regardless of someone’s views on the issue, censoring — especially to the point of arresting peaceful people trying to express themselves — is not a Canadian value, and is certainly not a value of a university, because the very nature of a university is that it is the marketplace of ideas,” said Gray.

But MacDonald said the university did everything in its power to accommodate the students, and that the solution they chose is not an uncommon practice.

He pointed to the National Gallery of Canada’s decision to house its explicit pop art exhibit in a room where audiences had the option of viewing it.

According to Gray, this

solution is insufficient.

“The solution is not to force [the exhibit] to be in a back room, but to make sure you don’t force people’s heads to turn in that direction. People have the freedom to look away,” said Gray.

“We’re constantly bombarded by disturbing imagery,” she added, citing footage of the dead bodies strewn across the streets of Haiti following the earthquake.

“Why aren’t people calling for warnings on that? Why aren’t they arresting those who show those images? There seems to be a double standard going on.”

The YouTube video depicts Lobo and the others being handcuffed and escorted into the back of a police van.

The students were transported to another building on campus and charged before they were let go, said Lobo. She believes the arrests were an “intimidation show,” to prevent them from similar activities in the future.

The Campaign Life Coalition has issued a written statement objecting to the arrests.

“The truth about the killing of children in their mothers’ wombs is once again being hidden in a back room, while the reality of what happens in every abortion continues daily,” wrote Jim Hughes, national president of the non-profit organization.

“Universities, which have always prided themselves as being institutions of free thought, have now become facilities where only the most liberal thoughts are allowed to be presented,” said Hughes.

Lobo has started a Facebook group titled Against the Arrest of Pro-Life Students at Carleton University. As of 4 p.m. on Oct. 8, the group had 143 members.

Province redirects money to student retention, research suggests mistake CHRIS MARTIN THE SILHOUETTE

University-led outreach efforts to attract first generation students will be taking a hit this year due to a decision by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to discontinue funding to outreach programs across the province. First generation students are those whose parents did not attend college or university. This funding, called “Access To Opportunity First Generation Initiative”, was discontinued last spring.

The Ministry has indicated that the change represents a shift in priorities to supporting first-generation students currently in school.

“After reviewing the first phase of pilots, the ministry found that institutions were providing strategies and supports on access, but that the system lacked strategies and supports to ensure that first generation students were able to complete their education and training,” said Tyler Charlebois, spokesperson to the MTCU.

This message, however, is not hitting the mark with student groups.

“We are disappointed with the news that government is going to cut these programs,” said McMaster Student Union VP (Education) Joe Finkle. “Research conducted by the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance and other organizations have shown the positive effects outreach has on underrepresented groups throughout Ontario.”

Indeed, the research shows more than that.

A recent study released

by University of Ottawa professor Ross Finnie of the Measuring Effectiveness in Student Aid (MESA) project indicates that first generation students are far less resolute in their pursuit of higher education than students whose parents have a

degree or diploma. The same study draws the conclusion that first generation students are not less likely than their peers to drop out once they are enrolled in higher education.

This conclusion drawn

by MESA contradicts the rationale given for the recent policy change.

It is not known at this point whether the Ministry was aware of these implications when the decision was made to shift direction, but the release of this data has drawn widespread criticism. The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance and the authors of the report have both publicly indicated that more effort must be put on early outreach, not less.

“We have received the Finnie report, and are taking a look at it,” said Charlebois.

The effect of the province’s change in policy has emerged: university-created outreach programs are being forced to find additional funding, scale back operations or simply shut down. At York, such programs targeted young students in the Jane-Finch corridor. At Queen’s, students were bussed in from rural and inner-city locations to experience university life. At University of Toronto Mississauga, programming aimed at local high schools helped to dispel myths about higher education for families who have never had a member attend. These programs have all been forced to close down.

Charlebois, though, noted that the government has invested $32 million in first generation outreach over the past three years, and continues to support early outreach through continued investments in programs such as Pathways to Education.

McMaster was not a participant in the Access to Opportunity First Generation Initiative.

THE SILHOUETTE • A5

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

Most vegan-friendly campus?

McMaster competes for second year in a row with other Canadian universities for top spot in nationwide competition

McMaster is currently competing against Brock in the quarter-finals of PETA2’s Most Vegan-Friendly College Competition 2010.

FARZEEN FODA

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

As McMaster soars to the top in international university rankings, celebrates its dedicated educators and strives to promote sustainability on campus, the school once again stands among 15 other Canadian universities in the Most Vegan-Friendly College Competition hosted by PETA2 (the youth portion of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

McMaster won the competition in 2006 and 2009 and has been nominated again to keep the title as the Most Vegan-Friendly campus in Canada based on votes by students across the nation.

McMaster has set itself apart from other schools with ongoing developments to the exclusively vegan food venue Bridges Café and the MSU Farmstand. Bridges has

been praised for its vegan soy beef quesadillas, chipotle eggless mayo dip and vegan chili, among several other healthy and delicious options.

The Farmstand, which opened in August, offers fresh fruit and vegetables from local farms to promote healthy eating among McMaster students. Unfortunately, given inevitable seasonal changes, the Farmstand will not be running after this week until next Spring.

Mary Koziol, MSU President takes pride in being a vegetarian herself. “I actually started being a vegetarian when I started university and [the food options] really made it an easy transition,” said Koziol, stressing the wide variety of food at Bridges, the Farmstand and other eateries around campus.

Veganism is one of many dietary preferences and requirements that McMaster

has made a conscious effort to accommodate.

More food venues around campus strive to offer a greater variety for vegetarians and for students with dietary restrictions due to religion. TwelveEighty, for example, has recently started to offer halal meat.

“McMaster definitely fosters a culture where people like me can feel comfortable with our dietary choices…some students don’t eat pork and some don’t eat beef, so McMaster does a good job of providing for all those students,” said Koziol.

Ashley Gonzalez, Media Specialist for PETA notes that “vegan diets are gaining popularity among university students,” and thus it is important for universities to accommodate the various diets. As students become better informed about the benefits of plantbased foods and the risks associated with other processed meats and dairy products, more and more people are slowly making the transition to Veganism.

“We really are the future generation and we can chide our parents and their parents for not caring about the environment, but we do know better… as the educated masses we need to be making these choices in our lifestyle, from what we buy, to what we eat and how we get from point A to point B”, said Koziol.

Especially at a time when the world is in the middle of an obesity epidemic, it is especially important for people to be more careful about their eating habits. “People feel like they don’t have any other options besides cheaper [more unhealthy] foods when plantbased products are the way to go,” noted Gonzalez. She went on to outline the choices on the McMaster campus that make it easier for students to find the healthier alternatives they need without having to resort to the tempting yet unhealthy quick fixes.

Another pressing issue worldwide is climate change, which that can be tackled by veganism, according to a recent report from the United Nations. It stresses that a vegan diet can save the lives of hundreds of animals and can reduce the human impact on climate change.

Many argue that vegan diets are

JOY SANTIAGO/ MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

not healthy because it can be difficult to find the necessary protein and other nutrients to maintain sufficient eating habits. McMaster University and other schools, in an effort to provide more vegan options, are careful to include several meat alternatives that give students the needed protein without the extra cholesterol and calories that come with meat.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition explains the details of vegan diets. Vegan diets can be thoughtfully adopted to provide substantial amounts of fiber, folic acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, potassium and magnesium. Such diets contain lower levels of saturated fats and cholesterol, as well as higher levels of dietary fiber compared to those diets highly dependent on meat. These benefits of the vegan diet greatly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic illnesses. It comes at no surprise then that vegans tend to have lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, lower risk of heart disease and better overall health.

When considering a vegan diet, people should be careful to include the essential nutrients that are most commonly found in meat and diary products: Vitamin B-12, and Vitamin D, as well as Omega-3 fatty acids and calcium. Meat supplements and foods fortified by these nutrients are vital to maintaining an adequate vegan food intake and can be found in soy products and tofu.

“There are plenty of different plant based proteins that do not have the cholesterol and fat of meat products,” said Gonzalez. “Also, a lot of vegetables have a lot of protein, like spinach and broccoli, which are also a really good source of fiber.” Gonzalez also encouraged students to carefully read labels when selecting foods.

Completely cutting out meat is not practical for everyone and can be difficult, but reducing intake of meat and replacing it with plant based sources for the same nutrients can make a significant contribution to health and can lead to a more sustainable lifestyle.

To vote in the Most Vegan-Friendly College Competition, students can visit the PETA2 official website, www.peta2.com.

Composing moderately sized, factual pieces of current and somewhat relevant information for our publication would surely enthuse us beyond utter reproach.

(Write for the Sil.) thesil@thesil.ca

A6 • THE SILHOUETTE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

EDITORIAL The Silhouette McMaster University’s Student Newspaper

TheSil.ca

Editorial Board

Peter Goffin Executive Editor

David Koots Managing Editor Katherine Marsden Copy Editor Sam Colbert Senior News Editor Chris Erl Asst. News Editor Farzeen Foda Asst. News Editor Cassandra Jeffery Opinions Editor Brian Decker Sports Editor Fraser Caldwell Asst. Sports Editor Natalie Timperio InsideOut Editor Kaitlin Peters Asst. InsideOut Editor Roxanne Hathway-Baxter Senior ANDY Editor Dan Hawie ANDY Music Editor Myles Herrod ANDY Ent. Editor Christopher Chang Senior Photo Editor Joy Santiago Multimedia Editor Jonathon Fairclough Asst. Photo Editor Simon Granat Business Editor Santino Marinucci Asst. Business Editor

editor’s extension: 22052 letters: thesil@thesil.ca

Faking passion Standing out on the grass of campus, I was watching a demonstration, politics in action, a rally for the service workers of McMaster. At the time, a strike seemed imminent. And I heard the yell, and the call. I heard the plea for support. And I shrugged my shoulders and sneered. I viewed it, as I do so many other ventures, with extreme cynicism. And for that, I’m ashamed.

Dig that I am not a cold person. Dig that I am liberal and pro-union and believe in labour rights in the extreme. Dig that I was a diligent Poli Sci student. Absorb that there was a time, at age 18 or 19, while in lower years, when I would have loved to be in a protest, to march for something, to carry a sign, to carry a cause.

Know that I still care as much as I once did, though I don’t often show it.

I’d like to blame my inaction on the sheer volume of causes I’ve been asked to support while at university. Because they do come at you. With the interest groups, with the fundraisers, with the class discussions. Political Science, Peace Studies, Labour Studies, half the arts programs, are just begging you to care, to give, to champion. I have the hideous suspicion, however, that it just became less cool, with age, to be passionate. Oh God, when did I get back to these high school pantomimes?

Because Goddamn, I used to care, I used to show it. In first year I was angry, I was cocky, I was idealistic and those are all beautiful things to be at 18. Now I’m not so sure that I have any of that left.

But dig that although I may not show it outwardly, I do care. And dig also that my caring is more mature now, better-rounded. Because when I do come around to feeling sympathy and showing solidarity, it’s real, it’s organic, it’s true. Yes I once dreamed of demonstrating but I dreamed of demonstrating not because I had one specific passion, rather because I wanted to demonstrate.

Too often I have taken on a cause, expressed support for something or someone because it seemed like the right thing to do, or because it would get me class credit, or because it fit broadly in with the personality I was trying to cultivate. It was all abstract, it was all case studies in textbooks, or news reports on TV’s. It was all tutorial discussion and coffee house ramblings. Bar night pretention, name-dropping games.

Know that I see now I was wrong there. And that I have grown.

Know that I may never carry a sign in protest, that I may never march for a cause. But know that I don’t care any less than those who do.

Know that I pledge here to try to blend the caring and concern of my plastic first-year self with the grounded older person I now play. I am unsure whether it’s worse to be apathetic or to act half-heartedly and insincerely. I am certain, though, that neither one is the answer to anyone’s problems.

Know that I’ve come a long a way since first year, and that I’ve still miles to go before I’m right.

But know this above all else: that for the human subjects of these case studies, it is all real. For campus staff in the throes of a labour battle, for the refugees and ghetto-dwellers of our textbooks, the causes which we students tend to champion are not mid-term assignments or extra-curricular activities. These causes are not games to them, not resumé builders, not opportunities to earn discussion marks. They are real life. Strikes are real life. Low wages are real life. And they are dire. And whether we mean it or it’s just for show, such people deserve our support.

•

PETER GOFFIN

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

to an early night. take me unconsciousness, i’m all yours. to the pun machine. to moving downtown. where all the lights are bright... to ralston johnson, mac track champion of 1968. to mr conductor and the seven words that killed my childhood innocence. to not having to grocery shop for weeks.

to phones. morse code is due for a comeback. to respectability. i felt way better as a patch-bearded creepo. to the belt-tuck. to premature halloween costume planning. to the fly in the office. at least we know the office can sustain basic life forms. to change. you can’t make me. to the dwindling supply of leftovers.

Section Meeting Times Photo Fridays at 3:30 photo@thesil.ca News Fridays at 1:30 news@thesil.ca

Sports Fridays at 11:30 sports@thesil.ca

Kevin Elliott ANDY

Trevor Roach ANDY

InsideOut Mondays at 1:00 insideout@thesil.ca

Aaron Joo Sports

ANDY Mondays at 12:00 andy@thesil.ca

Victor Pek Sports

Opinions Mondays at 2:00 opinions@thesil.ca

Ben Orr Sports Julia Empey Sports Maggie Cogger-Orr Sports

For everything in these pages, as well as content published exclusively on-line, visit

Sandro Giordano Ad Manager

Contact Us McMaster University Student Centre, Room B110 McMaster University 1280 Main Street West Hamilton, ON L8S 4S4

TheSil.ca

Fax: (905) 529–3208 E–Mail: thesil@thesil.ca

Actually the site is a front for a human traffickers’ social network. So maybe you shouldn’t check it out.

Production Office (905) 525-9140, extension 27117 Advertising (905) 525-9140, extension 27557 10,000 circulation Published by the McMaster Students Union

The Silhouette welcomes letters to the editor in person at MUSC B110, or by email at thesil@ thesil.ca. Please include name, address, and telephone number for verification only. We reserve the right to edit, condense, or reject letters and opinion articles. Opinions expressed in The Silhouette are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, the publishers, or university officials. The Silhouette is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the McMaster Students Union. The Silhouette board of publications acts as an intermediary between the editorial board, the McMaster community, and the McMaster Students Union. Grievances regarding The Silhouette may be forwarded in writing to: McMaster Students Union, McMaster University Student Centre, Room 201, L8S 4S4, Attn: The Silhouette Board of Publications. The board will consider all submissions and make recommendations accordingly.

to the return of network tv.

to demotion.

Business Tuesdays at 12 business@thesil.ca

Silhouette Staff

Legal

to the triumphant return of katherine marsden.

AND ALSO...

TO THOSE OF YOU WITH PROBLEMS...

Tell us what you think of us.

Send us a letter.

The Silhouette is starting an advice column for Mac students with problems of all kinds. Are you struggling with something difficult? Something weird? We’ll try our best.

Nothing you can say will hurt our feelings.

Who better to advise you on life decisions than campus newspaper editors?

E-mail your questions to thesil@thesil.ca and look for the reply to be printed in the Sil.

And on the off-chance that you do hurt our feelings, we’ll just have to track you down.

Mark my words, we will find you. thesil@thesil.ca

THE SILHOUETTE • A7

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

OPINIONS

production office extension: 27117 opinions@thesil.ca

Once bedroom chic, now storage bleak Moving out of the family home causes certain consequences CASSANDRA JEFFERY OPINIONS EDITOR

University, in more ways than one, is a new and exciting adventure, away from the generic and utterly redundant days of high school. We are no longer obligated to conform to the traditional nine-to-three school day and we have no reason to worry when the odd calculus class is missed.

University is good for a lot of reasons. The academic work load and daily stressors of college life are significantly increased, although we have no more boring French class and no more unnecessary physical education sessions to endure. You now have the freedom to choose a subject of interest in which to study and the requirement of “hallway passes” are non-existent.

University is great.

However, there are certain depressing hardships which accompany the transition from high school student to university adult.

The overwhelming sensation of, more-or-less, complete freedom is a blissful feeling, however the sad realization that your high school bedroom has been conveniently transformed into a storage facility seems to over rule the “sweetness” factor of freedom.

For those of you who are simultaneously attending university and currently residing in your family home, you probably have no idea what I’m talk about. However, many of you who occasionally feel a sense of homesickness know exactly how it feels to return home during a vacation period only to find your bedroom over flowing with fabric and glitter. Your once comforting and stylish domain is now a crafts corner for your fiveyear-old sister. The corner where your very expensive, vintage vanity table once rested has now been replaced with a 500-pound elliptical. Either my mother is trying to imply that I’ve recently packed on the pounds or I’ve been replaced with the thought of spandex shorts and sweaty headbands. I am not to keen on either option.

Over Thanksgiving weekend I traveled for hours on a sketchy Greyhound bus only to find my private sanctuary completely rearranged. My previous bed (which was extremely comfortable) was given to my younger brother and was replaced with a pathetic excuse for a single bed. There was no room to actually walk around as dressers and book shelves were crammed into the already tiny space. The room was exactly that—a room. It was no longer considered “my space.” It no longer exerted the individualistic essence of Cassandra. It lacked the “feel-good” vibe of my high school days and instead was bombarded with the distressing feeling of exile and un-wanted change.

The bedroom was depressing to the extent that I slept on the couch for the entire weekend.

I tried to sleep in the room, I tried to create a happy environment and make the best of what I was presented with, but it was hopeless.

The room was never going to have the same effect as it did just a few months ago. It was at this moment that I had a revelation. I am probably never going to live in this bedroom again. Sure, I will have the occasional slumber over Christmas vacation and Easter, but the room will never fully be something that I can call my own. I will never kill entire Sundays watching TV in my big comfy bed ever again and I will never engage in spontaneous dance parties ever again. The dressers and bookshelves create a bit of a problem for said dancing.

I have never truly appreciated the benefits of having my own bedroom until this past weekend. In the past I have taken advantage of the comforts of having privacy within my personal bedroom. Now I realize that I was lucky enough to have an escape from the burdens of life.

However, with nowhere to retreat I suppose the couch will have to suffice. Perhaps my mother will encourage creativity and allow for the living room to be redecorated so that it may portray my distinct University is a great experience, but leaving home means you trade in your space for a treadmill. personality.

JOY SANTIAGO/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

What will become of Fighter Jets?

ERIC WILLIAMS OPINIONS

Recently the government has announced a sole source contract for a new breed of fighter jets.

These planes are being billed as interceptors designed to secure Canadian sovereignty in the arctic.

It is a billion dollar boondoggle that will give Canada a total of 65 jets by 2020 to the cost of $9 billion plus ongoing maintenance. It is a waste of money for the following technological and strategic reasons.

Recently, there was a Russian bomber run at North American air defense. The news made a big deal about this, but it happens all the time. It is a form of chess the military has been playing for decades. This was then announced as a reason for needing these new jets. This is a farce because the US has thousands of jet fighters, and did nothing to stop the Russian advance. So if they aren’t going to do it, are we? Obviously not.

It is true that our current generation of fighter jets cannot match against this next generation, but it really does not matter. Piloted jet fighters are becoming obsolete.

The future of airfare will be unmanned drones. If we must feed borrowed billions in the Air Force branch of the military-industrial complex, then let us do it here.

Fighter jets will soon be obsolete. In modern warfare, western governments find it far easier to sacrifice treasure than blood. Anger over soldier casualties are blown out of proportion by the media, but this also minimizes sympathy for the enemy, which is the goal of any good propaganda campaign. Unmanned drones, in the air and on the ground will be more

effective and cost efficient. Unlike soldiers of 20 years from now, computers will grow exponentially in intelligence and processing capability. The googlfication of military strategy will lead us to learning computers that can use statistical approaches to anticipate manoeuvres with clairvoyant accuracy.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and the weakest link here is human. A lot of money is invested into life saving and life sustaining advice, as well as pilot training. A pilot can only manage one plane at a time. The manoeuvrability of the plane is limited by the amount of G-forces the pilot can withstand. Even for a modern fighter, the ultimate restriction in manoeuvrability is the little blood vessels in your eye.

When the pilot pulls back on the flight stick, the plane goes up. Pull it harder and it loops. This motion creates what are called positive G-force. With a pressurized flight suit, and proper training, the human body can withstand up to 9 or 10 G-forces for a short period of time. That is the equivalent of 9 or 10 times the force of gravity.

As gravity forces become too strong to bear, blood is pulled out of the head by gravity, and pools below, eventually causing the pilot to ‘black out’. As these effects are experienced, a person’s vision will become progressively blacker, until they lose consciousness.

Alternatively, if you push down on the flight stick, blood is forced upward, which causes negative Gs. People cannot take nearly as much negative Gs, only -2 or -3. After which, a person’s vision starts to ‘red out’, as blood is forced into the head, which eventually causes little blood vessels in the eye to pop,

SILHOUETTE FILE PHOTO

Technology has changed the face of fighter jets. How will this affect a fighter pilot’s career? blinding you. Consequently, pilots greatly prefer positive to negative G forces because going to unconscious is better than going blind.

The point of all this is that drones do not have this difficulty.

The limits of manoeuvrability are not related to human ability to withstand G forces. Instead, the limitation is the structural strength of the plane itself. That is, the plane can fly as hard as possible, up to the point where the forces involved

would tear the plane apart. This is much beyond 9 or 10 Gs, and so drone fighters will ultimately be much more combat able than classic fighter jets, because speed and agility is everything in air combat. Weapons matter too, but if anything, drones will be able to carry more weapons than manned aircraft.

In the future, fighter jets will be anachronistic. Think about how effective jet fighters were

against propeller planes at the end of World War 2, and you have a good idea. Drones have better reflexes, and can use probability mathematics to chase and target enemies.

Humans could only come close with strong computer assistance in planes that could not fly as fast.

Drones are ideal for monitoring huge areas of empty land like Canada’s arctic. Drone • Please see Fighter A11

A8 • THE SILHOUETTE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

HSR is under appreciated DEVINE MUELLER OPINIONS

I’ve just started my second year at Mac, and I’ve long since learned the techniques and nuances inherent to taking the HSR buses to and from campus.

On average, I spend around 14 hours on the buses every week. I understand the overcrowding and the noise and the late buses and everything that everyone hates about public transit. But I don’t think that the bus system is flawed.

In fact, bus drivers I know on a personal level have confirmed this for me.

The problems that plague the bus system are not the fault of the drivers, or the dispatch office, or even Don Hull, Director of Transit.

It’s the economy that’s to blame.

And it’s not only the recent recession that’s affected the system. Funding from the Ontario government used to subsidize around one third of the operating costs for the HSR. These subsidies stopped in the mid 1990’s. The Ontario government just couldn’t

afford the cost and had to pull funding.

As of now the HSR is currently making roughly 75 per cent of their operating costs in revenue, with the City of Hamilton expected to cover the remaining 25 per cent. For the HSR to make back 100 per cent of their operating costs, they would have to raise the bus fare to around four dollars a ride. That’s $1.45 more than the current cash fare.

Hamiltonians and the local media would be up in arms if this happened. Social committees for those living on lower than average incomes would be outraged. There’s no way that the HSR could do this without severe backlash. And yet the HSR is giving financial breaks to a large portion of the roughly 50,000 people who take the bus every day.

We here at Mac pay only $121.80 for a bus pass that lasts us the entire school year. If we didn’t have that, we’d be paying over $700 a school year, not covering the four summer months that we’re not in class. We get it good. And we’re not

the only ones. Seniors 80-years-old and older, and children under five don’t pay.

People with mobility devices are voluntary pay. The bus company loses money for being understanding about our financial situations as students and pensioners and everyone who doesn’t have the means to pay for the full costs of the system.

And you know what this means? They don’t have the money to spend on new buses or more drivers or new automated services.

And so they turn back to the city, which is already financially limited and paying a quarter of the operating fees. In fact the city won’t let the HSR hire more drivers, they’re only hiring to replace the retiring drivers.

I’m sure the drivers feel like charity workers sometimes. I’m sure the operators and dispatchers are pulling their hair out some days.

All because they don’t have enough money.

They don’t have enough money to fix all of the problems they’re faced with. They don’t have enough drivers, but the city won’t

let them hire more. They don’t have enough buses, but they cost hundreds of thousands of dollars each.

So how are they supposed to fix the overcrowding or the occasionally missing bus? The HSR loses money every year. They just don’t have the manpower or the equipment to properly supply the roughly 50,000 people who ride the bus every day, much less the 500,000 people in the amalgamated City of Hamilton.

Then there are the drivers.

They are the front line for the HSR, they deal with everyone. The people you hate to see on your own bus, the people you just roll your eyes at and walk by, they are the same people who pester and prod drivers all day long. The drivers are a major part of making the city run and they get minimal thanks for the effort they put in.

So here the bus company is.

Underfunded, short staffed, dealing with around 50,000 passengers a day. Giving us financial breaks and sometimes having to pull buses off the road because they don’t have

enough drivers. And drivers who have to deal with all the crap that their passengers deal out.

So yeah, you’re right.

There are problems. But the bus system itself is not flawed. They just don’t have the money to serve us the way they’d like. Don’t have the means to give us the service they want to give us.

Missing a bus sucks.

Waiting in the rain or in the snow or in the cold sucks. But the next time you see a bus whiz by, packed to the brim, or have a driver who isn’t in the best of moods, take a minute to step into their shoes. Try to imagine the people and the problems they have to deal with every day as we expect that they’ll get us where we want and when we want.

The HSR is providing us with a service. And on better terms than a lot of other cities’ transit systems. And in the end, if the bus system really bothers you that much, do everyone a favour and do your part to reduce the overcrowding. Drive, bike or walk to your destination.

SILHOUETTE FILE PHOTO

The Hamilton bus system is currently enduring a crippling financial crisis and cannot afford to reduce the overcrowding. Citizens should be sympathetic to HSR.

?

THE SILHOUETTE • A9

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

Since moving out, what have your parents done with your room?

Has Facebook gone to far?

New GPS app for iPhone is creepy “Turned it into an office.”

Dave Puttock

Feedback

“It was shared between two other brothers.”

Zaid Al-Rawni

SILHOUETTE FILE PHOTO

New “Places” application for iPhones allows for Facebook friends to see exactly where you are.

JEMMA WOLFE

of an eye, directly aided by those naïve enough to tell the public their precise whereabouts. By posting “Who. What. When. And now one’s location, it is implied that one wants to be sought out, though with Where.”

So reads the tagline for no censorship of who is receiving Facebook and iPhone’s newest such information, there is no synergistic application, “Places”. control over who will follow you.

While currently only available in The safety concerns this creates are a few select countries (Canada obvious and numerous.

Facebook seems to have included), this new app was released in mid-August to a mixed reception. taken this evident flaw into some You may have seen it pop consideration, having made privacy up in your News Feed from your settings available for “Places”. iPhone-user friends, and wondered These settings allow users to about the small, Google Map-esque red teardrop proclaiming that Bob is currently at Gino’s Pizza on Main It would be very Street. interesting to Users of the iPhone now have the option to employ the GPS explore the capability on their phones to “check psychology of why in” to different “Places” as they go people even feel about their day, letting the Facebook world know their whereabouts at the need to tell the every moment. And, through the world where they tagging function, they can also are and who they’re indicate who they’re at these places with. doing it with.”

Facebook advertises this as a way to “[e]asily share where you are, what you’re doing and disallow friends tagging them in the friends you’re with right from Places updates, and alter whether your mobile” so as to “[n]ever miss or not “just friends”, “friends of another chance to connect when you friends”, or “everyone” can see happen to be at the same place at the where they are.

Visibility is also strictly same time” as a friend. Yet where Facebook trumpets convenience “just friends” for users under the and camaraderie, I see creepiness age of 18, so perhaps Facebook does at least acknowledge the need to and cattiness.

The main issue arising shield youth from pedophiles. The from this is the fact that users are effectiveness of this is disputable, being encouraged to broadcast their though, considering the ridiculous exact location to an infinite number number, and arbitrary nature, of of people on the Internet. Now “friends” people have.

The catty side of Facebook Facebook stalking can transition into real-world stalking in the blink is also made more pronounced by OPINIONS

“They threw stuff out.”

Ryan Melvaer

“It was kept the same.”

Nicole Howe

“My mom moved into my room.”

Moyra Falletta

To paint is to have patience JENNA SHAMOON SILHOUETTE STAFF

Compiled by Cassandra Jeffery and Christopher Chang

Be Cool and Write for Opinions!

MUSC B110 Section Meetings: Mondays at 2:00

this latest app. It would have us purposely tell other friends who we are hanging out with, other than themselves. What can be born from this other than feelings of exclusion amongst those friends not involved?

“Places” will quickly become a tool for passive bullies to ostracize others. “I’m here, with these friends, at this very moment having an awesome time while you sit at home alone and read about it on your computer screen.” There goes even the option of being blissfully ignorant.

It would be very interesting to explore the psychology of why people even feel the need to tell the world where they are and who they’re doing it with instead of being content within themselves.

The concept as a whole, privacy settings and the politics of friendship aside, is still incredibly disturbing. As a member of a generation which has grown up with a dwindling amount of privacy in an increasingly dangerous world, it is sickening to see people voluntarily throw away what privacy and safety we have left.

What is there, really, to gain by this? The increased chance for lazy people to less-thancoincidentally run into others in a random location? If you want to see a friend, call them up and plan to meet.

Perhaps if we spent less time on Facebook and more time actually socializing, then there would never even be the incentive for apps like this to be created.

Facebook has an uncontested hold on the Who, What, When, and now the Where of our lives. I question Why.

DaVinci spent about three years painting the Last Supper. Me? I don’t waste any time. When I start on a painting, I get it done. No questions asked. It’s finished and ready to go. At least, that’s how I used to be.

In my grade 12 art class, our assignment was to make a selfportrait. We had done these before in this class, but this time we were using life sized sheets of paper, giving enough room to fit our entire bodies if we wanted to. The first step was to make a line drawing, then to cover it in a layer of gesso, or a primer, then begin painting over top.

I worked extremely quickly on this painting. When people were still doing their line drawings, my entire background had already been finished. And I was quite proud of myself for this because I was using my time efficiently to get an assignment done. But then I was getting towards the end of my painting, I felt that I had gotten so much done that I didn’t know what

else to do with my painting.

Thinking I was satisfied with my painting, I went to my art teacher, full of pride thinking I had created the greatest piece of art in the shortest period of time. He goes

into the painting; more colour, more detail, more…everything.

So I went back to my painting and stared at it for a few minutes. I began adding little bits and pieces of detail in places that seemed plain and boring. And the more detail I began to add, the more I enjoyed making my self-portrait.

DaVinci spent I would keep stepping away from it, and there were more possibilities about three years for what I could do. There was painting the Last still so much more potential in that painting.

Supper. Me? I By the time my painting don’t waste time. was finished, I was more proud of it than any other piece of art I had When I start on a ever made in my life. But I learned painting, I get it more from that experience about life than I did about painting. The done.” advice my teacher gave me was to come in every single day, and make to look at my painting and stares at a “two inch masterpiece”. He told it for a while. Then he bluntly says me that I was rushing so quickly “You’re not done yet.” through the painting that I was not Shocked by this, I taking the time to absorb it and questioned him. What else could I enjoy the experience. He told me do? I didn’t want to ruin my painting to focus on one small section of by continuing to add more and more the painting every day. Enjoy every detail to it. It would just end up centimeter and every colour of your killing the painting all together. But he pushed me into including more • Please see Approaching A10

A10 • THE SILHOUETTE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

He versus she; why the The lighter side of failure gender distinction?

How not to achieve your goals ALEX STEINER OPINIONS

Feminism, one of the few loaded subjects on campus, has always amused me. In principle it’s a solid philosophy and it doesn’t have any tenants I’d call corrosive. It’s not the ideas that get me smiling, but the people that stand behind them and the lengths they go to. That being said, the stock feminism I encounter is fairly detrimental to the ideology of feminism and unfortunately discredits much of their namesake.

So when I stumbled upon another of my textbooks that swapped “she” for “he,” it caught my attention, if only for a second. I remember noticing it in my Economics textbook last year.

I didn’t give it much thought at the time.

I accept the redefinition of subjects, save for when it strays from the politically correct to the ludicrously insane. It’s amusing how thin that line can be.

The optimal choice would be a neutral subject, which the English language doesn’t really have in a singular form. “They” would be the closest I can think of (“he went”, “she went”, “they went”) but it feels clunky, plural, stodgy and formal.

Those problems aside, a neutral subject would also have the benefit of shaping the thoughts of the following generations who would use it, which is what most political activist groups are after anyway. One of the easiest and most direct ways to change the way someone thinks is to alter how they

communicate.

George Orwell’s 1984 had a great bit on the destruction of language and how it shapes thought.

To paraphrase the argument, people think, can only think, through the means of communication that are provided to them. If those means of communication are altered, modified or restricted to influence a thought, then the thought becomes far harder to express.

To get a handle on what I’m talking about, try to describe a tree to someone without using its visual description. Without the simple tools to transform thoughts, communication becomes problematic. People, are notoriously lazy, especially in English, in which contractions and abbreviations rule supreme.

What’s really surprising to me is that a feminist group at one point in time didn’t come up with a new word. Instead of tilting the scale in the other direction by adding an “s” (“he” into “she”), they should’ve come up with a new word that would fit in the same place. One syllable, close to “he” or “she,” probably ending in the “–ee” sound, just to make it convenient.

So the next time you find yourself reading or listening to an impersonal description, pick up the “he” or “she”. Does there need to be a gender at all? Is there a distinct thought being locked into your mind? While you’re at it, try to come up with that neutral subject. You might just have a hand in shaping the way those who come after us think.

The plan was to get a bike, take a run, and get some exercise...the couch was a better idea.

PETER GOFFIN

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

At the end of the first period, the score is Life:1, Goffin: 0.

In the existence of a student, Thanksgiving is, I think, the first checkpoint. We’ve all been back for a month, we’ve all settled in, midterms are right around the corner. And, as is pushed upon us by folklore and traditionalist parents, the turkey holiday is also a time for reflection.

And so, this past weekend, I did some self-examining. Or, rather, I laid on my family’s couch with the top button of my pants time, you’ll have a selection of undone, wondering what I had works, all of which you are proud done to arrive at this point in my of. Just like in painting, it’s better life. But in doing so, I had a gravyto not rush through life because in induced epiphany: I have failed the end, everything is mediocre and spectacularly at everything I had plain. But when you take time to planned to do this year. make every moment important, you Actually, that’s not true. end up with a collection of great I haven’t technically failed at memories that make you satisfied everything. But that’s only because with your life. Realize the potential I haven’t even attempted most of of happiness in each second and what I thought I’d be doing this absorb the love of each moment. year.

Make each moment, each I had started to get the first second, and each experience a “two inklings of my mass-shortfall while inch masterpiece.”

I was packing up to go home for the long weekend. Rifling through my closet, I found my running shoes wrapped in a garbage bag

Approaching life through art is a beneficial experience • CONT’D FROM A9 work. Once you love every single bit of your work, it comes through the painting and you are happy with what you created.

Maybe that’s why the Last Supper was so great…

But this isn’t just how I approach painting it’s how I approach life. Life is just a bunch of little pieces put together. The key is to cherish every single piece of that picture, and not to rush by it. In art, if you rush through too quickly, you end up creating a collection of mediocrity. But if you take your

SILHOUETTE FILE PHOTO

and buried under a heap of dirty clothes. So much for big dream I’d had of running every day. And it all snowballed from there, an overstock old plans resurfacing in my head, none of them fulfilled.

Now resting in the graveyard of good ideas is the plan I’d had to buy a cheap bike, fix it up and ride it to school every day. I logicked myself out of that one by reasoning that if I got a bike, I would probably just coast most of the way, and it would be less exercise than if I ran everywhere. Thus the running shoes. Yes, the ones at the back of the closet.

The letdown never fails.

Each year I wake up from my tryptophan coma to find I’ve blown a month of the school year without joining the photography club, or registering for intramural softball, or even once going to the gym.

I just can’t ever get going.

And Thanksgiving isn’t exactly a kick-start to my rigid program of daydream fulfillment. Because it’s almost midterms, and after that it’s practically time for finals, and Christmas, and then the year is half-over and it’s cold and snowy out and that’s no time to be doing anything and most of my money has been spent by that point and of course everything I wanted to do

costs some kind of money and then I finally can’t take it anymore, I’m so bored and let down by myself that I finally get up the resolve and the restlessness and the self-loathing determination to get off my ass and do something and then the year’s over. Summer time. And I’ve got a whole new list for the warm months and it all starts all over again. Every year a new plan, every year a new disappointment.

But maybe there’s something to that. Each year I come up with ten things I want to do, and each year I get nothing done.

And maybe that’s sloth, but maybe it’s just life. Because that’s what inevitably gets in the way. School assignments or jobs or social events or sleep. Life.

I would still like to get some things accomplished this year. I’d like to start cooking exotic dishes, I’d like to invest in some knitting patterns, I’d like to learn quantum mechanics, and for some reason I think I’d like to learn how to play squash.

And maybe this will be the year it all actually works out.

But in the meantime I’ll be getting up every morning and coming to school and going to work, and going out, and coming home, and living. Just living.

THE SILHOUETTE • A11

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

Fighter pilots a thing of the past?

• CONT’D FROM A7 technology would allow a single pilot to manage squadrons of drones, without risk of being killed. It is totally plausible that a pilot with an Xbox360 controller, using controls just like in current games could control tens or even hundreds of drones. The AI would control the squad, while the human would pilot a single drone where human attention was required. If it was shot down, he or she would just hit reset, and take control of the next available drone. The mechanics should sound familiar, because video games use them all the time. Violent simulations are the marching drills of the twenty first century.

The fact of the matter is that the US is investing billions in developing drones, and we would do well to get involved in this obvious and inevitable development.

Being a world leader in drone technology would be an excellent use of military resources, and the technology involved would have all sorts of powerful and profitable spinoff consumer technologies.

The US is already using drones for strike missions, and computers already fly planes. All that is needed is greater processing power, better visual analysis, and a program to make it work. These things are terrifying. They could be as large as modern bombers, or as small as insects. They could be used for large scale attacks or for espionage, assassination and sabotage.

The most compelling evidence is that it is common parlance within the US Air Force to say that “The last fighter pilot has already been born.” Since fighter pilot careers don’t go much past the forties, quick math shows that in less than 30-40 years, fighter pilots will be obsolete. These jet fighters they are buying now won’t be much good except for air shows. Want to be a billionaire ten times over?

Develop a capable AI program for drones, and you’ll be set for life. Or maybe just pass the turkey and give peace a chance, eh?

Learn to be expressive through art JENNA SHAMOON SILHOUETTE STAFF

Everyone has heroes; those people we look up to, imitate, and want to eventually be. My heroes have always been artists.

But it’s not just straight-up artists who I look up to. It’s the artists who branch themselves out into uncharted territory of expression.

They take advantage of the freedom of expression and choose to reveal themselves in different ways.

Take a writer like William Blake. As great as he was as a writer, he branched himself into becoming an artist as well. And what he created was phenomenal, such as his painting, “Ancient of Days.”

Blake was able to empower himself in more varieties of art, which in the end, produces the greatest benefit for any artist.

One thing that this does is give a sense of diversity to an artist.

They are able to express themselves in a variety of ways, such as music, poetry, photography, painting, sketching, and acting. When you are

well rounded in the artistic sense, painting and drawing. But as I grew one way of expressing yourself may older, I delved into the guitar as not be suitable. well as writing.

What may be suitable in a What I discovered in the painting may be more suitable in a end was that I was actually better song. Something that is difficult to in some aspects of my writing than express in words may be easier to I was in my art or music. It was express in a photograph. It gives an eye opening discovery for me more possibilities to take over creatively. different art genres and The it also provides different diversity of ideas.

Once I was able creativity is Another great mportant to express myself ibecause thing about diversity it in art is that it makes it through music or helps you to easier to express yourself. learn more writing, I was able about The idea of unveiling yourself. some kind of emotion to bring elements You discover through only one kind potential from those arts your of art seems very oneto do more, dimensional and difficult to my own visual to branch out to do. and become art.”

Also, restricting superhuman, yourself to one kind of art in a sense. You restricts the possibility feel as though of expressing it in a better way. It nothing can stop you and as though prevents you from discovering a you could conquer anything. new form of creativity that you may This invincibility also even be better at. gives you the freedom to create For example, all my life anything. Not only do you feel I had expressed myself through freer to express yourself in different

ways, but it gives you the ability to express different things or ideas or emotions.

It’s like a healthy release of creative energy. It helps you reconcile with your emotional demons that you’ve put away for a long time, but never had time to confront.

The final great thing about exploring uncharted creative territory is that you are able to bring elements of different arts and incorporate them into the art you love the most.

Once I was able to express myself through music or writing, I was able to bring elements from those arts to my own visual art.

I wanted my art to have a harmony to it, where everything fits in the right place. I wanted my art to tell a story when people looked at it. Now, my art isn’t only more diverse, but it becomes more relatable to those who understand different forms of art better.

So get out there! Branch out! Grab a camera, a pen, a paintbrush, a script, and explore that artistic abyss!

Unhealthy relationships prove to disappoint CASSY CRABTREE

SILHOUETTE INTERN

I’ve always wondered why people stay in unhealthy relationships.

Have we fallen so low that we put up with fighting, abuse and little to no respect just to hold on to the idea that someone loves us unconditionally?

Let’s face it, if your partner is unwilling to treat you with even a shred of decency, why put up with it? No, they’re not just having a bad day, and no they won’t be better by tomorrow. Nor will they love you forever. Yet we still see so many people in today’s society who do nothing about it.

I try to be optimistic and reassure myself that bad couples stay together because the human race deserves more credit than I give us.

I try to believe that, instead of exploiting our partner’s flaws, we try to fix them for the greater cause of peace and unity. But that’s being incredibly unrealistic, and even ignorant to the causes that influence staying in a bad relationship.

The real reason people stay together is fear. We fear giving up what we have, unless it’s completely mandatory, and oddly enough it seems that being mistreated no longer qualifies as a legitimate reason.

The derisive partner will play on insecurities to assure constant power and domination in the relationship.

Whether it be physical, psychological or emotional abuse, the outcome is always the same.

I’ve never personally been in an inappropriate relationship, however I’ve seen enough to realize the damage they can do.

Fear not only influences the one staying in the relationship, but also their family, friends and co-

workers.

Let’s face it: it’s not like the rest of us don’t notice when someone else is getting treated like crap. We’re just too scared to say anything. Mostly because we assume that since you’re staying in the relationship, there must be some redeeming quality about your partner.

We don’t want to be around people in bad relationships because we dread picking sides, cringe at the front row seats we get to the arguments, and shudder when we have to calm our friends down.

Really, what do they expect of us? We can’t say anything because we’re scared of what they might say if we point out the obvious.

Emotional breakdowns often manifest in the form of anger and infinite denial towards the one trying to be helpful. We’re seen as the pessimistic friend who is “just jealous” or “doesn’t know what we’re talking about”. This should not, however, stop us from helping those who can’t help themselves.

Everyone deserves to find someone who will treat them suitably, but it is unfortunate that there are so many good people willing to tolerate just about anything for a deranged version of love.

I believe that over the years our judgments have been clouded, and we’ve lost touch with what matters in interpersonal relationships.

Instead of looking for safety and comfort, it’s become the norm to want something hectic and strenuous. Contrary to popular beliefs, the number of obstacles that a couple can overcome does not make a relationship any better or stronger. It just proves that one, if not both, partners are lowering their standards to stay content.

Toxic relationships are never beneficial for either partner.

JOY SANTIAGO/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

A12 • THE SILHOUETTE

SpeculatoR The Hamilton

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

INSIDE THE SPECULATOR A7: The inner workings of the Spec are the proletarian workers.

B4: By reading this publication you are perpetuating a cycle of exploitation.

C79: Don’t tread on us.

Thursday, October 14, 2010 F Okay der, now read your paper der.

Bookmobile diaries Tales of a library insurgent

BUCK HOROWITZ SPECULATOR

Day 243: Starving and demoralized, the men have begun threatening mutiny. Some say they don’t even remember why they joined the revolution. A chant of “I’ll pay the 15 cent overdue fine” can be heard around the camp. As El Jefe, I must remain a pillar of strong leadership, Nearly one year ago, Mills library was set upon by a band of militant four-eyeses known however, and I promised the men good things after the harvest. as the Readers Liberation Front. Having taken several librarians hostage, the RLF, led

by Melvin “Che” Finkelstein pledged to occupy the fourth floor until such time as the Day 246: Rumours abound that if we are captured, the librarians will have us executed library loan system recognized basic human rights. Also, pornography on the microfiche. by firing squad. I have instructed the men that, in the event they are taken prisoner, they Following a mid-November counterattack by two campus security officers, the should take their own lives. Lacking cyanide tablets, I am considering the lethality of reading registrar, and a benchwarmer for the jai-alai team, the hostages were freed, but a handful macroeconomics textbooks until we merely lose the will to live. of the insurgents survived and remain in the library all these months later.

Presented here, for your reading pleasure, are excerpts from Finklestein’s diary, Day 251: Success! Today we reached the microfiche. There was a brief setback when it was scraps of which were found stuck together by the microfiche readers. His words are a discovered that Rodriguez, that filthy dog, had made off with our reels of Guns and Asses fascinating insight into a mind so disturbed that it wants to stay in the library. magazine, but we found, after some foraging, an erotic picture of a dental hygienist cleaning

a mule’s wisdoms in Teeth Weekly.

Day 236: Sad news. Rodriguez was lost in today’s fighting. He took a liking to the back issues of National Geographic in the periodicals section and, muttering something about the Day 253: Refreshed from a weekend in the microfiche, we advanced more than through nudist tribes of East Papua, he retreated to some dark corner of the second floor, never to be STACKS. Morale is high, though some of the men need a bathroom and the nearest one is seen again. As night falls we can still hear his faint cries of “Ski jumps, ski jumps!” It has closed for cleaning. significantly drained the men’s… morale.

Day 255: Established a foothold in English literature, fourth floor. Fought our way from Day 242: Our left flank ran out of food supplies today in children’s literature. The men are now Chaucer to Elliott, T.S., were forced to retreat back to Dickens where we dug in around David forced to subsist on Green Eggs and Ham. Also, spiders.

Copperfield. Tomorrow we hope to advance to Woolf. Bring me Mrs. Dalloway, or bring me death.

Chile lends support to Morlocks KINGSLEY MORRIS SPECULATOR

Subterranean ape-men receive aid after disaster

Although news agencies around the world reported this week that most Chilean miners were saved hundreds of meters below the ground, the Speculator has been informed by an anonymous source that a flock of minersturned-Morlocks have remained underground to carry out their existence.

While trapped for two months underground, equipped with only a sparse supply of water, food, and science fiction books, many of the miners have decided to transform themselves into Morlocks in order to cope with their environment. Chilean authorities have tried their best to keep these Latino mole-men alive by dropping down supplies of raw meat, precious stones, and various assortments of leather clothing accessories, mainly loin cloths.

The Chilean government’s move to keep the Morlocks alive has not come without considerable protest. Many minority groups within Chile have lodged formal complaints against the government, stating that no such help was given to them in times of need. The Tree-People’s Front of Chile argues that they received no government aid when floods and earthquakes affected their homes in 2007, while the Chilean Hobbit Alliance complain that their constant teasing and wedgie problem is the result of a lack of government intervention.

One saved miner, Jose Chupartala, discussed his admiration of the Morlock population that he was trapped with for several weeks. “They were great (untranslatable) guys. While we were trying to stay alive they just kept working… precious metals are their thing, you know.”

Regardless of the political upheaval that will follow because of the Chilean government’s aid of the mole-men, it is a relief to know that somewhere in the world, men can live underground, eat raw meat and grunt A Morlock comes to the surface to feed, among other things. wildly, while avoiding persecution, intimidation, and intolerance.

SAL “MEATBALL“ MARINARA

“Qu’est-ce que vous avez appris cette semaine, Jacquot?”

“

Editor’s note: Timmy is on cultural exchange this week.

Replacing him is Jacquot, French translator, mime, and collector of felt sock garters.

.”

Le disclaimer: Les histoires imprimer au The Hamilton Speculator sont factuel. Les similarites a personnes vivant ou mort est intentionel. Les idees exprimer ici sont celle-ci du The Speculator et si vous n’etes pas en accord avec eux, vous etes incorrect. Et stupid. Et villain aussi.

THE SILHOUETTE • B1

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

SPORTS

production office extension: 27117 sports@thesil.ca

Football

Coach finds silver lining in injuries

CHRISTOPHER CHANG / SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR

Joey Nemet accounted for 180 yards rushing, 20 yards receiving and four total touchdowns.

BRIAN DECKER SPORTS EDITOR

Every time the McMaster Marauders have taken to the field this year, something has looked a little different. Due to the number of injuries experienced by the team, the

names on the depth chart have been changing faster than the colours of the leaves on the campus’ trees.

And yet, as Mac concludes their regular season at Toronto this weekend, there are a number of positives about the team’s situation.

A win over the Varsity Blues would

give McMaster a 6-2 record, and the team has already locked up the right to host a first round playoff game.

But more valuable than anything the Marauders have survived may be what they have gained in experience thus far in 2010. For coach Stefan Ptaszek, the injur-

ies have represented a chance for younger players to develop as players and leaders on the field.

“We’ve had guys who are only in second year, and who are going to be here for a while, take the reins and become leaders in the huddles,” said Ptaszek, noting that the injuries have caused no shortage of trouble for him.

“We’ve had 14 true freshmen dress and play, and 18 different receivers have caught forward passes, and that’s more than anyone in the country.”

The injuries have been coming ever since the season began, literally, when defensive lineman Steve Cecchini went down with an injury on the season’s first kickoff. Since then, injuries both season-ending (to Cecchini, Mitch Heighway, Jarred Jones and Tyler Crapigna) and nagging (to Mike DiCroce, Jordan Kozina, Kevin D’Hollander, and Shane Beaton, among many others) have been a regular part of each game.

But as holes have been made, young players have been filling in and getting experience each game. Ptaszek says the leadership of quarterback Kyle Quinlan has been key in ensuring the offence continues to put points on the board.

“The quarterback has to build a relationship with his receivers, and [Quinlan has] done a great job managing whoever’s in there regardless of who’s running routes for him,” said the coach of his starting pivot.

Quinlan is second in Ontario in both touchdowns and passing yards, while Mac ranks second

behind Ottawa in virtually every team offensive statistical category.

While going 5-2 with such adversity is an accomplishment in and of itself, Ptaszek and his players are only looking forward to what lies ahead in the postseason.

“It’s a lot of injuries and it’s not bad to be here, but at the same time we’re not where we want to be,” said the coach of the state of his team. Ptaszek added that the team’s bye in the final week of the season will allow the team to get healthy enough to pursue their main goals for the campaign.

“We’re going to get healthier with our bye week, and we need to for the playoffs … we want to contend for a Yates Cup and beyond in 2010, and we feel like that’s a legitimate goal in 2010.”

The Marauders head to Toronto on the heels of a 43-35 win over Guelph last Thursday. DiCroce and D’Hollander returned to the lineup along with running back Joey Nemet, who scored four touchdowns in the victory.

The win was soured, however, by yet another injury, as Crapigna, the team’s star rookie kicker suffered a broken leg on the game’s final play. Ptaszek says that injuries like that one are simply a part of football and that his team will move on as best as they can.

“You’ve got to trust the guys that you stand shoulder-toshoulder with, and with all of these experiences I think there’s a lot of trust in who and what we are.”

Saturday’s game against Toronto will kick off at Varsity Stadium at 1 p.m.

Women’s Rugby

Cross Country

Marauders run all over Mustangs

Mac runners take second at Western

Maroon and grey earn long-awaited 31-5 win

FRASER CALDWELL

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

BRIAN DECKER SPORTS EDITOR

Over the past five years, the Western Mustangs have owned the McMaster Marauders. There have been times when keeping the game close for the full 80 minutes would have left Mac feeling accomplished, with the Mustangs having won every meeting between the two teams since any of the current Marauders were on the team.

But with a strong game plan and a motivated squad, that all ended with a 31-5 thrashing of the Mustangs in London Oct. 8.

For team captain Allison Morris and coach Sandro Fiorino, both of whom have been with the team for five years, the win represented years of hard work in building the program.

“I could not stop smiling all week,” said Morris, who is the only fifth-year player on the team.

“Over the past five years, my teammates and I have stepped on the pitch with hopes of just scoring a single try against Western.”

McMaster’s Natasha Turner returned from a concussion to lead the team with three tries, while Becky Delaney scored a try and added three conversions. Kirsten Shedden scored the other try for the Marauders, while Laurie Biewald scored Western’s only try.

For Morris, the win was a product of a team playing with the common goal of total domination from start to finish.

“There hasn’t been a single game this season that we as a team wanted to win more,” said Morris.

“It was our time.”

The Mac win dooms Western to a 1-4 record and a first round playoff matchup with the juggernaut Guelph Gryphons, who have proven themselves to be the cream of the crop in OUA rugby.

“To walk away with such a dominating win and put the nail in the coffin of the Mustangs’ reign makes us very proud,” said Morris.

McMaster’s victory sets

Having lived in the shadow of their female counterparts for the past few weeks, the McMaster men’s crosscountry team enjoyed a crowning achievement of their own over the weekend. Fielding a partial squad for the event, the Marauders clinched a second place team finish at the Mustangs Open Cross Country Meet at Gibbons Park in London.

The maroon and grey’s encouraging performance was paced by a fourth place finish by converted swimmer Andrew Bysice, who crossed the line in a time of 19:42. Bysice’s run is even more impressive when one considers that it stood as the former pool jockey’s first outing of the season.

Mac’s strong team finish was buoyed by much-improved performances from first-year runners Eric Barry and Duke Lloyd.

The two finished sixth and tenth respectively, results which stood as a marked improvement over those of previous events.

Featuring a diluted team, the McMaster women had a middling afternoon in London, with their best performance coming from third-year runner Rachel Lamb. Although she veered off-course as part of a misguided group of runners, Lamb managed to recover well, and finish strongly in sixth position.

The Marauder women remain ranked as the premier crosscountry unit in the nation, and its top performers will have another opportunity to shine this coming weekend when they travel to Rochester, New York to compete on Oct. 16.

The American meet provides the maroon and grey another crack at the top North American competition, which becomes ever more important as the business end of the season approaches. a 31-5 win over Western.

The Marauders will look we need to constantly fight for that to hit top form for the upcoming extra inch, and to hold ourselves ac- OUA Championships in Guelph on countable for every dropped ball, Oct. 30. However, the ultimate goal bad pass and missed tackle.” for Mac’s elite runners must be the

The game will kick off CIS Championship meet on Nov. 13 Oct. 16 at 12 p.m. at Back 10 field. in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

PHOTO C/O KEVIN OGILVIE

Natasha Turner returned from a concussion to score three tries in up a home playoff date with the York Lions, who fell to the maroon and grey 37-10 two weeks ago in conference play. Morris says the team is raring to go for the playoffs.

“This team is ready. We’ve

worked and trained hard to be where we’re at for the playoffs,” said the captain, who added that accountability across the team will be key when the games matter most.

“This is the time where

B2 • THE SILHOUETTE

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2010

THE SILHOUETTE • B3

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

Men’s Volleyball

Titans clash in the Burridge gym 2010 CIS Champion Dinos pay Mac a Thanksgiving visit FRASER CALDWELL

ASSSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Kicking off their short but illustrious preseason schedule this past weekend, the McMaster Marauders men’s volleyball squad earned an impressive split of two matches against the defending national champions from the University of Calgary. After being handled in fairly routine fashion on Friday night, the maroon and grey buckled down to secure an epic five-set win on Saturday at Burridge Gym (2519, 19-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-8).

The victory was all the more impressive in that it saw key contributions made from a wide variety of players, and hinted at the skill hidden in this year’s crop of new recruits. The Marauders will be encouraged by their Saturday performance, and should take considerable confidence into their next marquee preseason challenge, which sees them travel to Laval to play the QSSF champion Rouge et Or in a three match series.

The Marauders’ five-set win on Saturday was a drastic response to a straight sets loss the night before, which had served warning that Calgary would take no prisoners in the preseason. For their part, the hosts appeared nervous and tentative in the early going, losing five of the first seven points to start the weekend.

From there, Mac consistently found itself on the back foot, and was hard-pressed to keep things close in the opening set. The Ma-

rauders were buoyed by an impressive stint in the middle by thirdyear hitter Michael Sjonnesen, whose powerful blast brought the hosts within a point of Calgary at 15-16. But despite the Marauders’ best efforts, the Dinos were not to be denied, and would respond to a venomous effort on the part of the free-swinging Josh Lichty with one of their own to eke out the opening set 23-25.

McMaster’s form would take a noticeable dive in the second stanza, with the usually clinical attacking forces of Tyler Santoni, Jeremy Groenveld, and Kevin Stevens being effectively stifled by the Albertans. Time and time again, the Marauders’ imprecise and laborious passing allowed the Dinos to rotate at ease, and saw them routinely snuff out the resultant Mac attacks.

This trend continued throughout the set, and resulted in the visitors comfortably clinching a commanding two-game lead at 18-25.

Despite the difficulty of the task ahead of them, McMaster remained resilient in the third and final set, pushing the Dinos to the limit in a losing effort. With Sjonnesen hammering a blast off of the Calgary block, the hosts grabbed a promising lead at 10-8. But a slew of mid-set errors, and a new gear on the part of the visitors, would soon see this situation reversed.

A top quality rally at 14-16 saw both squads playing exemplary team defense, but would eventually fall in favour of the Dinos and stretch the lead to three in the late

CHRISTOPHER CHANG / SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR

Josh Lichty smashes past the Dinos’ block during Calgary’s visit to Mac last weekend. stages. Calgary would experience one last hiccough in the dying moments, as a Tyler Santoni ace narrowed the gap to just one at 22-23.

But with rookie Jori Mantha’s swing being blocked down two points

later, the visitors escaped with the set and the opening round win.

Friday’s encounter signaled that McMaster had much to learn if they were to exact revenge on the visitors a day later, and it is to

their immense credit that they managed to do just that. With a comprehensive team effort, the Marauders weathered a mid-match storm to put away the powerful Albertans in five • PLEASE SEE HARSH, B5

Men’s Volleyball

Women’s Volleyball

Gryphons win Mizuno-McMaster Shoulder injury not Marauders fall just short, earn silver

slowing Groenveld

FRASER CALDWELL

FRASER CALDWELL

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The McMaster women’s volleyball team closed out its busy preseason schedule with a silver medal performance at the annual Mizuno-McMaster Thanksgiving tournament this past weekend. After convincing wins against Lakehead and Queen’s, the Marauders faltered in their final encounter with the Guelph Gryphons, dropping the final three sets to lose in four (25-12, 22-25, 21-25, 22-25).

In their final tune-up before the resumption of conference play

on Oct. 22, McMaster experienced many of the swings of form and composure that one would expect in the preseason, experimenting with several personnel combinations in the process. Beyond cycling through many proven returnees, the changes allowed the team to showcase the talents of prized off-season recruit Camilla Thorne-Tjomsland, and the burgeoning creative skills of setter Amanda Weldon.

The Marauders began the tournament with a quarterfinal match-up against the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Thursday night, a team that enjoyed very little suc-

cess in a disappointing OUA East campaign last year. With the exception of a third set letdown on the part of the hosts, Thursday’s encounter followed that form closely. McMaster dominated for long stretches, with the Thunderwolves desperately lacking accuracy and rhythm in the attack.

After pasting the visitors 25-9 in the first frame, the Marauders continued their fine form in the second, buoyed by the trademark power and precision of veteran outside hitter Larissa Puhach. In the face of the maroon and grey’s • PLEASE SEE EARLY, B5

JEFF TAM / THE SILHOUETTE

Shannon McRobert and the Marauders fell just short at the Mizuno-McMaster Invitational.

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

It’s the sort of moment that any athlete dreads. When you hear a pop or feel a twang, and simply know that something in your body has decided to go rogue.

For McMaster’s star outside hitter Jeremy Groenveld, such an instant came this spring, as he found himself playing some offseason ball on the provincial circuit.

“It first started in a beach tournament in the OVA tour back in May,” said Groenveld. “I swung on a ball and felt something in the back of my shoulder.”

He knew instantly that the shoulder had given out, but would not quit on his team in the midst of a tournament. With the injury coming in the quarterfinal of the OVA event, the Marauder standout continued to play through the pain to see out the finals. The logic was that he would have ample time to rehabilitate over the summer. Unfortunately, that was not to be the case, as Groenveld himself would quickly come to realize.

Being one of the elite hitters in the country, the veteran of the maroon and grey had plans to play overseas throughout the summer, and felt up to the task when he embarked on his journey. “After a summer of rehab in the physio clinic and strengthening, [the shoulder] felt nearly 100 per cent as I boarded the plane to Austria,” Groenveld remarked.

However, once he arrived in the land of skiers and schnitzel, Groenveld discovered that the cultural differences extended far beyond the menu. “Once I arrived in Austria, I quickly realized that they do not have a similar mind set in terms of how they warm up as we do in Canada. They did some very simple mobilization of the main joints and very little shoulder warm up.”

This restricted training regimen had dire consequences for Groenveld’s injured shoulder.

“Over the course of the week, my shoulder simply got worse and worse,” he lamented. “The coach would constantly tell me to swing harder within the first 10 minutes of practice, even before any shoulder warm up occurred. After a week of that, my shoulder was in so much

pain that I couldn’t lift my arm or even sleep at night.”

The new developments were worrying, and they led Groenveld to seek immediate medical advice upon returning to Canada. What the doctors had to say confirmed the worst.

“I received my MRI results, and they informed me that I had a large tear in my labrum, arthritis, and a loose capsule,” recountsed the outside hitter. “After I saw the surgeon, he informed me that I would need surgery to fix this problem, but wouldn’t be able to get it until December at the earliest.”

With a recovery time of roughly a year, having the surgery would entail losing his entire season with the Marauders. Despite the risk of worsening his injury, the thought of sitting out his final opportunity to make a run at a national title was too much for Groenveld to consider.

“After speaking with my family and friends, physiotherapist, and [head coach] Dave Preston, I decided that I will tough it out and play my final year at McMaster,” Groenveld declared.

Thus far in the Marauders’ young season, the improved training practices at McMaster seem to be keeping the injured shoulder at bay, and Mac’s all-star wing presence believes that he is capable of performing at the highest level. “So far, my injury hasn’t held me back on the court. I feel like I’m playing extremely well, and still some of the best volleyball I have played in my career.”

Groenveld is adamant that he will give his best effort in whatever capacity the team requires of him, be it as a regular starter or a substitute. “I think I will be able to contribute to the team in any way necessary, whether it means starting, coming off the bench, or just supporting from the bench. I leave it up to coach Preston to manage who plays and when they play, but when I am called on, I will be ready to go as I have been for the last four years.”

The early evidence from Burridge Gym is encouraging for the veteran Marauder, who was spitting his trademark fireballs against the defending national champions this past weekend. Injured or not, there will be no free points on Jeremy Groenveld’s watch.

B4 • THE SILHOUETTE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

Men’s Rugby

Marauders stay undefeated with win Mac avenges 2009 loss with 25-18 victory over Queen’s MAGGIE COGGER-ORR

points, with two penalty goals and a convert.

Queen’s would break through the Mac defensive line on the last play of the game to bring Any rugby player will tell you that there are the score to 25-18 but it was too little too late certain games versus certain teams which as the Marauders celebrated their first victory they look forward to every year. Rivalries are over the Gaels since the OUA final in 2008. a huge part of all sports and OUA rugby is no Sheppard commented that the win different. Queen’s and McMaster have been on Friday “felt phenomenal ... an indescribtwo of the top programs in the province for able rush of excitement.” He was at a loss for the past decade and the annual match between words when asked to elaborate. It’s not hard to imagine how satisfying it would be to trithe teams is always widely anticipated.

Both teams were quick off the ball umph over a rival after a humbling 59-5 loss and anxious to get the game started. Queen’s in the 2009 regular season. of the came out with nothing fancy

Man match honours, as selected but organized and meticulous

by Queen’s and the coachplay. The Marauders were Every other game ing staff, went to Ferguson, able to stem the tide and on we’ve played this who has been lighting up their offensive chance capithe OUA this year with both talize on quick ball and put year there have ball in hand and his foot. The points up on the board, rebeen passages of first-year student currently sulting in a 25-18 win. good play but a

McMaster was able sits fifth in the OUA in scorto maintain control through- lack of consistency; ing and leads all rookies for out the game, with their depoints, followed closely by fence keeping Queen’s mov- this game we played fellow Marauder first-year ing backwards. When asked 80 minutes of go Chris Gordon.

Gordon and Ferabout key factors contributforward rugby.” ing to the win, veteran forguson’s fellow first-year Cam Stones also put together a fine ward Mike Sheppard pointed out that the Marauders’ “sting on defence and performance, earning him honourable mention as the top maroon forward. Since his commitment to the ruck” were both crucial.

The consistency of play which the move from second row to blindslide flanker, Marauders demonstrated against Queen’s is Stones has increased his work rate all around something which has been a challenge for the the field, especially at the breakdown. team this season. According to assistant coach Needless to say the next four years Cam Mitchell, “Every other game we’ve are looking bright for Marauder rugby, but played this year there have been passages of what about the next few weeks? This weekgood play but a lack of consistency; this game end brings a well deserved weekend off, we played 80 minutes of go forward rugby.” which will allow players with the bumps and

Versatility continues to be a top bruises that a rugby season inevitably brings strength of the men in maroon; in the win over time to heal up. the Gaels, five separate Marauders improved Things pick up again next week with their season stats. Second year forwards two more home games, with the Marauders Ryan Fried and Tyler Ardron both tallied five facing the University of Toronto Varsity Blues points, as did back three members Mike Paris on Wednesday and the perennial powerhouse and Chris Gordon. Scrum half Andrew Fer- Western Mustangs on Saturday. These two guson continued his kicking prowess by add- games will round out the regular season and ing a convert and penalty goal of his own. give the Marauders some final preparations Rookie phenom Andrew Ferguson sits fifth in OUA scoring this season.

Daniel Moor led the Gaels with eight for the postseason.

SILHOUETTE STAFF

STEPHANIE HAUCK / THE SILHOUETTE

hanging around for the weekend? check out the following games: women’s rugby PLAYOFFS vs. york saturday, 12 p.m., back 10 women’s soccer vs. waterloo saturday, 1 p.m., ron joyce men’s soccer vs. waterloo saturday, 3:15 p.m., ron joyce

THE SILHOUETTE • B5

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

MARAUDER SCOREBOARD FOOTBALL

W. RUGBY

M. RUGBY

M. B-BALL

GUELPH - 35

MCMASTER - 31

QUEEN’S - 18

FRASER VALLEY - 73

MCMASTER - 43

WESTERN - 5

MCMASTER - 25

MCMASTER - 82

C. ROSSETTI - 16/24, 221 YDS, 3 TD

J. NEMET - 23 RUSH, 180 YDS, 4 TD

N. TURNER - 3 TRIES

L. BIEWALD - 1 TRY

H. MCQUEEN - 1 TRY

R. FRIED - 1 TRY

J. FRIESEN - 18 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST

T. BLACK - 17 PTS, 15 REB, 2 BLK

Women’s Volleyball

Early lead evaporates in final • CONT’D FROM B3 the face of the maroon and grey’s onslaught, Lakehead struggled to maintain cohesion, and McMaster’s mammoth middle hitter, Shannon McRobert was the recipient of many a routine floater courtesy of the shaky visitors.

Easily closing out the second set 25-11, and looking primed for a short night of work, Mac seemingly switched off in the third, allowing the Thunderwolves to snatch an improbable set. A spate of uncharacteristic attacking errors and a sudden inability to communicate saw the quality of McMaster’s game plummet. The team’s form reached perhaps its lowest ebb at 12-15, when a lazy Lakehead drive was left to fall uncontested at the feet of the Marauders’ front line.

While they would be unable to salvage the third set, McMaster would come to its collective senses in the fourth, sealing the match in routine fashion at 25-12. The ferocious hitting of sophomore standout Kailee Stock and the trickery of setter Amanda Weldon at net powered the Mac resurgence, and saw them advance to the semifinals.

Friday’s game pitted the Marauders against the Queen’s Gaels, and saw considerable growing pains on the part of both teams.

In a match which McMaster won fairly handily, neither team managed to hit top form, and

errors were rampant throughout. Despite frequent timing issues on attack, the Marauders consistently out-muscled their opponents at the net, who struggled mightily to combat the strength of the towering McRobert.

While hiccoughs remained in the passing game, those on hand at Burridge Gym saw many glimpses of brilliance from the chief attacking architect Weldon. Beyond simply delivering the second pass, the sophomore setter displayed encouraging tenacity in defence, and the killer instinct to end points on her own. Such motivation was clearly on offer when Weldon finished a chaotic Marauder move with a swing worthy of a bona fide hitter to end the second set.

Although the final two frames would be relatively tight, the hosts never looked like losing to a Queen’s team that spent much of the match battling itself. With a Kailee Stock smash careening off a Gaels’ block and sailing wide, McMaster booked a place in Saturday’s tournament final, where they would face the surging Guelph Gryphons.

The Marauders opened their final match of the weekend in textbook form, and would race through the first set 25-12. Playing the quick and organized brand of volleyball that paid major dividends in the OUA East last season, McMaster had their opponents thoroughly on the defensive through-

out the opening frame. Shannon McRobert once again featured prominently, producing consecutive blocks with the help of Larissa Puhach to clinch the set for the hosts.

However, having been badly outplayed in the early going, the Gryphons quickly rebounded in the second set, and would prove the stronger of the two teams on the afternoon. The Marauders had a golden opportunity to move to two sets up in the second, holding an 18-14 lead in the late stages. But an implosion on McMaster’s part saw them lose the next five points, and drop the set entirely soon after.

Having evened the game at a set apiece, Guelph would not look back, and sealed the next two games to kill off the contest in four. Mac will rue their loss of form following the first set, which had seen them playing their most fluid volleyball of this preseason. Amanda Weldon and Shannon McRobert were granted some consolation in defeat, being named to the tournament all-star team at the conclusion of the title match.

With the exhibition schedule behind them, the Marauders now enjoy a week off, before opening their conference season with a double bill on the road. They travel to Windsor to battle the Lancers on the Saturday, Oct. 22, before visiting the Western Mustangs in London the following day.

W. SOCCER MCMASTER - 1 R. KEIMAKH - 1 SHOT

YORK - 1

K. MAWSON - 1 GOAL

M. SOCCER MCMASTER - 0

R. SCHLOSSER - 1 SHOT

YORK - 5

A. PENA - 2 GOALS

Men’s Volleyball

Harsh lesson leads Mac to victory • CONT’D FROM B3

stuffed the Dino’s usually potent hitters.

Also extremely impressive was firstyear outside hitter Jori Mantha, who seemed intent on bringing his own powerful game to bear opposite the high-flying Stevens. Mantha executed a textbook kill down the sideline at 22-17, before Stevens added another heater of his own to clinch the set emphatically with the score 25-18.

With the Marauders enjoying peak form, Calgary had no answer for their oppon-

ents in the abbreviated fifth set, and would be downed rather routinely in the decider. Intent on kicking their wounded prey while they were down, Mac inserted perennial all-star Jeremy Groenveld into the game to put things to an end.

The cannon-armed outside hitter would do just that, following two blinding kills at 11-6 and 13-8 respectively with a massive ace to clinch the fifth set and the win for the Marauders.

The effect of the win was palpable, as the team celebrated loudly in its aftermath.

With victory against the Dinos behind them, McMaster now turns its attention to Laval, where they will meet the powerhouse for three matches this coming weekend.

The series stands as the Marauders’ final preseason competition before the commencement of their conference season on Oct. 22, when they travel to Windsor to play the Lancers.

riveting sets.

In sharp contrast to Friday, McMaster looked extremely confident to open proceedings on Saturday, grabbing a commanding lead at 10-5 with a deceptive ace from sophomore star Kevin Stevens. Where Mac’s passing had grown stale the previous night and allowed Calgary to transition easily into blocking positions, the Marauders’ movement was fluid and efficient in Saturday’s opening set, and saw Stevens and Santoni reaping the benefits at net.

Mac was also experiencing a marked improvement from the service line, where Josh Lichty in particular had found a perfect balance of pinpoint accuracy and frightening power. Lichty powered down an absolute depth charge to fry the Dino defence at 18-12, and looked capable of doing so throughout the contest.

However, after the Marauders charged through the first set in fine style, Calgary would dig in admirably and claim the next two. Despite holding multi-point leads in both the second and third frames, McMaster would be unable to capitalize and close out either set. But signs of the impending push on the part of the maroon and grey surfaced in the third, as Kevin Stevens quickly emerged as the most dangerous man on court.

Even while the Marauders dropped the third set, Stevens was displaying a downright nasty all-around game as the match progressed. The Manitoban standout was blocking with authority, and driving at the Dino front line with a diverse and clinical attacking approach.

The fourth set saw a dramatic and fatal surge from the Marauders, who hit top gear to snag the victory. The aforementioned Stevens was now firing on all cylinders, and his heroics were joined by those of Tyler Santoni. The veteran middle had deciphered Calgary’s attacking rhythm, and repeatedly Michael Sjonnesen and the Marauders rebounded from a convincing loss to beat the Dinos on Saturday night.

JEFF TAM / THE SILHOUETTE

B6 • THE SILHOUETTE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

Soccer

Mixed results for Mac on pitch Men’s soccer earns three points, women garner two JULIA EMPEY & BEN ORR THE SILHOUETTE

Women vs. Guelph: This past Thanksgiving weekend was not kind to the McMaster women’s soccer team. Saturday they took on the Guelph Gryphons for the second time this year. Instead of giving thanks to the soccer gods for an excellent game full of shots and goals, they were left with a scoreless draw.

The Marauders came up fast and strong, managing to take a grand total of 15 shots on Guelph’s net. However none were able to make it to the back of the net. Guelph also struggled only getting two shots in total.

McMaster’s sharp defence was in excellent shape but like previous games the forwards struggled in turning opportunities into goals.

The Marauders now sit with an overall record of 6-3-2 and Guelph lands at 1-5-4 overall, with Mac sitting in second place in the division, just ahead of Windsor.

Men vs. Guelph: The Guelph Gryphons travelled to Ron Joyce Stadium to take on McMaster in a pre-turkey matchup this past Thanksgiving weekend. The Marauder men appeared to be hungry, as they made quick work of the 1-8-2 Gryphons, coming away with a 2-0 victory.

Fourth year midfielder Daniel Niksic opened the scoring in the first half, giving the home team the advantage. Before the half time whistle was blown, the Marauders had expanded their lead on the heels of a Paterson Farrell strike.

Defence was the theme of the day, as the Mac defenders did not allow a single shot on net, allowing Keeper Matt Grant to earn the shutout.

The win takes the Marauders’ record to 6-4-2, good for fourth in the OUA West.

Still undefeated, the Western Mustangs lead the division with a 10-0-3 record, sporting an impressive plus-19 goal differential.

Elsewhere in the OUA, Laurentian

defeated Ryerson 1-0, York cruised against Brock 2-1, Trent beat Carleton 1-0 and Toronto pummelled Nipissing 6-0. It should be noted that the fifth place Waterloo Warriors played the aforementioned Mustangs to an impressive 0-0 draw at home.

Women vs. York: The Marauder ladies salvaged yet another point on Wednesday night, earning a 1-1 draw with the York Lions. Rita Keimakh tallied the first goal of the game in the 35th minute, and it nearly decided the game.

Mac was on the brink of defeat when striker Robin Mawson spoiled York’s bid for the three points and the shutout with a goal in extra time. The last-ditch goal scraped a point for the Marauders, who now have a total of 21 on the season with a record of 6-3-3.

With the draw, McMaster remains in second spot in the OUA West standings, although Windsor enjoys two games in hand.

The maroon and grey will now welcome the Waterloo Warriors to Ron Joyce Stadium on

Oct. 16. Game time is 1 p.m.

Men vs. York: McMaster’s men’s soccer team continued their string of schizophrenic results by following a weekend win over the Guelph Gryphons with a calamitous 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the York Lions. The Torontonians scored early and often to blank the Marauders and send a clear sign of their intent to challenge Western at the summit of the OUA West.

Branko Majstorovic opened the floodgates for the home side in the 24th minute, before Adrian Pena added a second in the 43rd. Pena would strike again early in the second half, before Selvin Lammie and Moreno Alberti put an exclamation point on the inevitable result.

Following the loss, McMaster’s record sits at 6-5-2, which translates to 20 points and fourth position in the OUA West.

The Marauders will look to bounce back against the Waterloo Warriors at Ron Joyce Stadium on Oct. 16. Game time is 3:15 p.m.

THE SILHOUETTE • C1

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

INSIDEOUT

production office extension: 27117 insideout@thesil.ca

The growing culture of pot

NATALIE TIMPERIO

SENIOR INSIDEOUT EDITOR

“Roll, roll, roll a joint, twist it at the end, light it up and take a puff, and pass it to your friends.” These are the more well-known words of Tré Cool, drummer for the punk rock band Green Day, and, for some, a fictive declaration to the life of “stonerhood”. The popularity of marijuana, however, extends far beyond clichéd one-liners.

Marijuana has been used for thousands of years in many parts of the world. From use of its seeds for food in some Asian countries such as China, to use of its healing properties for those who suffer from particular illnesses, marijuana has come to define much of peoples’ lives, as history can easily tell us.

For the majority of young

people though, marijuana is used widely for recreational reasons, it would seem. Its ever-rising popularity has brought about certain attitudes and practices that are commonly held amongst people who use marijuana whether it is for recreational, medicinal, or religious purposes. It appears that marijuana has grown (no pun intended) into somewhat of a culture, with an expanding market geared towards those who consume marijuana for whatever their reasons.

Whether you smoke marijuana for medicinal, religious, or recreational purposes, the appeal of this drug is quite extensive.

Favourite Quote: “Cheeseburgers! The cornerstone of any breakfast.”

Favourite Band: Animals as Leaders Describe your style: Vintage rocker What do you look for in a significant other: Humourous, outgoing, independent thinker Shoes: Nike Air Force 1’s - $120 Jeans: Forever XXI - $30 Hoodie: Holly Springs Disaster from farewell tour - $40

ThreadCount Karim El-Ziflawi 2nd year, Social Science Photos by Christopher Chang

Jacket: Jimi Hendrix jacket - $60 Headphones: Studio Beat - $350

Michael Baldasaro, current mayoral candidate for the Greater Hamilton Area (G.H.A.), proponent for the legalization of marijuana and an active member of the Church of Universe, in collaboration with Reverend Tucker, also a member of the Church of the Universe, comment on why it is that marijuana is appealing for so many people: “young people growing up are looking to find themselves and intelligent people of all ages find its healthful, healing and relaxing benefits appealing...any intelligent person would choose marijuana over alcohol”.

As based on the findings of the McCart decision in August 1997, the consumption of marijuana is far less damaging than is tobacco or alcohol; the related material generated by this trial illustrates that marijuana is indeed of no serious harm to those who use the substance, despite claims that say otherwise.

So, why is it that stigmatic stereotypes are often associated with marijuana itself as well as marijuana consumption? The fact that there is no safe way to purchase this drug aside from a doctor’s prescription or government license to grow it yourself is definitely a contributing factor. Most people are forced to • PLEASE SEE MARIJUANA, C6

SILHOUETTE FILE PHOTO

C2 • THE SILHOUETTE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

Swap your duds for charity AAREN FITZGERALD THE SILHOUETTE

The modern aphorism “never waste a crisis” will be taken literally at McMaster University on Oct. 27 in the form of what is known as the Clothing Swap.

That’s right frugalistas, vintage lovers, and even you students living through those arid stretches of life, which lie neither here nor there, between its more rewarding moments — better known as midterms. Mark your calendars, clean out your closest and swap!

The McMaster OPIRG working group Threadwork, which promotes students thinking critically about clothing and its impacts on society, organized the Clothing Swap.

Threadwork’s core members are Isabelle Dobronyi, Davey Hamada, Alice Cavanagh, Katie Jensen, Emma Ditchburn and Cameron Amini. However, Amini insists, “what is important in Threadwork is not having executive roles, it is more of a personal project,” while Jensen adds “you might say we are sewn into the project … would that put you in stitches?”

From Oct. 11-22 at MUSC Atrium, Threadwork will be collecting clothing donations in good, clean condition. In exchange, students receive point cards, essentially acting as gift cards redeemed on Swap Day.

Clothing swaps have become quite popular since the late ‘90s. Born out of necessity in the 20th century, clothing swaps came to be along with the “make and mend” campaigns around World War II.

Typically organized by women, the idea resurfaced as a response to the women’s movement and consumer culture. Despite the irony, today the popularity of the clothing swap plays into counter-culture, along with the idea of D.I.Y., anti-consumerism and organic food awareness.

If this clothing swap idea was to become popularized wouldn’t it wreck havoc on our struggling economy? The idea of spending less but saving more is not normal in times of recession and yet today we have this example of a value shift from branding consumption to thrift.

To this Amini remarks, “one of our goals with this swap [is] to engage the wider public. It is a stepping stone to alternative conscious consumption of things.”

This begs the question, “Are students apathetic or just simply too busy in our microcosm at McMaster to actually make a difference instead of following the status quo?” If the latter is true, the Clothing Swap is a great opportunity, if only for a moment, to make convenient a good cause.

Yet there are some issues brought up by third year student Gillian Beaton. “How will people try clothing on? Students might be discouraged from participating if they aren’t sure if they will like the clothes at the swap or can’t find anything of equal value.”

The practicality of holding a clothing swap accessible to the entire school and held in the Student Centre is questionable.

While the organization has provided ample time for collection, the idea of lugging old clothes to

Made popular from the “make and mend” campaigns of WWII, clothing swaps are still popular today. school during specific hours, leaving them be valued by peers, and returning on swap day in hopes of fetching a bundle of someone else’s unwanted stuff seems perplexing to the ordinary student.

In this perspective, engaging the wider public might be more difficult than anticipated.

Although the people of the Great Depression lived in a most penurious way, our generation seems to require more of push to, as Jensen explains, “Get towards a mind set where this [Clothing Swap] is not as stigmatized. Where clothing is not dirty, but has a history.”

If everyone were to be excessively frugal, perhaps Keynes Paradox of Thrift — where it is actually detrimental to the economy to be thrifty — might be worrisome.

However, the poor student saving money on clothing in order to put their savings into the economy through textbooks, rising tuition and Alphagetti probably won’t be catastrophic.

Jensen says, “[If] we change the framework in which we believe we should be buying things, then we can have economy and ecology become viable.” The Clothing Swap event holds a lot of potential and it is up to the McMaster community to choose the direction it takes.

TYLER HAYWARD / THE SILHOUETTE

THE SILHOUETTE • C3

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

How-to- Deal with a bad roommate Unruly roomies can be difficult to deal with any time of year do-it STEPHANIE HAUCK THE SILHOUETTE

Of all the adjustments that going away to school brings, learning to live with another person is easily one of the most challenging.

As students settle into the school routine, and memories of frosh week dwindle, reality kicks in — seven more months living like a vacuum packed sardine in a dorm.

Of course, a roommate sounded like a good idea back in June – but suddenly you’re having second thoughts. Even roommates who start off friendly can wear on each other’s nerves. Sooner or later, one of you is going to get grumpy, annoyed or downright angry.

Midterms this week are daunting enough, but roommate drama can be downright painful. Remember those roommate agreements you signed, just before drinking a tallboy to your new favourite song – it might be about time to pull it out and pin it on the wall again.

So, things aren’t getting easier and it’s difficult to avoid the elephant in the room so perhaps it’s time to establish open communication. “If you have roommate problems, handle them right away,” says Melissa Graduate, a contributor to How to Survive Your Freshmen Year.

“You can be indifferent to people you pass on your walks around campus, but if you’re indifferent to your roommate, silence turns into coldness, and coldness turns into animosity, which might turn into hatred.” Just talk it out because chances are you can work it out.

Another good way to keep problems to a minimum is to be considerate. Don’t just walk into your room at 1 a.m., turn on the light and strip naked.

It is likely that your sleeping roommate with the 8:30 a.m. chemistry lab is not going to appreciate it. If you attempt to be mindful of their wants and needs, chances are they’ll be mindful of yours.

It is also important to consider that not everything that happens in your 246 sq ft. room is going to be agreed upon. And it is highly probable that at some point or another you and your roommate will disagree about something.

In this case, take a deep breath and compromise. If your roommate says lights out at 10 p.m. and you want to stay up till 11 p.m., maybe suggest the use of a desk lamp.

If your roommate likes to listen to music loudly, ask them to wear headphones. But re-

STEPHANIE HAUCK / THE SILHOUETTE

Dorm living can go from heaven to hell pretty quickly, and you may start dreaming about mom and dad’s house again. member the give and take should be equal and don’t over compromise — you have needs too!

While having a roommate inevitably has its challenges, it can also be a great part of your university experience. It is important

to remember that the problems you are having with your roommate can often be associated with the fact that you’re living in cramped quarters, with little personal space, rather than conflicting personalities.

Don’t count your friendship out,

give things time and work things out. If you can survive eight months living in a box together then chances are you can make it through anything. After all, the greatest of friendships can be brewed in the most unfortunate circumstances.

FashionWatch

Working your fashion dollar CHANÈLE JORDAN CHRISTOPHER MCFARLANE

4. Value Village — or any kind of thrift shirt in mind from flicking through the new store. You can find some really unique Vogue magazine, but remember it’s okay to THE SILHOUETTE items sometimes at some excellent prices. compromise on price without having to sacri5. Urban Behaviour fice on style.

As university students, we obviously have a 6. Sirens

Remember the number one rule lot of expenses to deal with. When all is said 7. Stitches when attempting to save and done, most of us don’t have too much 8. Urban Planet money while shopping: Sometimes the best look before you buy. money left over to just splurge on fancy 9. Winners brand-name clothing.

10. Payless Visit a few stores deals are found in

However, a common misconception With so many affordand make a mental checkthe dark corners that some may have is that you need to spend able stores to shop at, the vast list on what you liked, or of the store, and large amounts of money on brand name cloth- array of choices and fashiondidn’t like, to find the best ing in order to look good. able combinations are endless. after sifting through deals.

We’d like to clear this up right now: Don’t be scared to mix Always take adthe initial jungle of a brand name on your shirt does not instantly it up by buying a little from one vantage of special offers make your outfit go from bland to glam. store and moving straight onto clothes on the rack ... like “Two for $30” which you may find a hid- is often a good bargain, and

Looking fashionable or “having the next. swag” is not about the designers or the price, Many of the stores den gem amongst the usually gives you a wide but how you rock it. listed above have similar styles, variety to choose from. And rough.”

The two of us have compiled a list making the sometimes imdon’t be ashamed to head of stores at which both guys and gals can find possible venture of finding a straight for that sale rack. great clothing for low prices: matching pair of jeans for your top that much Sometimes the best deals are found 1. Forever 21 easier. in the dark corners of the store, and after sift2. H&M

Always shop with an open mind. It’s ing through the initial jungle of clothes on the 3. Joe Fresh @ Loblaws okay to have the image of a perfect dress or rack that may seem daunting at first; you may

Community Events

Oct. 14: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Latin America & Hispanic Awareness Fair @MUSC Marketplace

Oct. 22: 7 p.m.

Football - Hamilton Tiger Cats versus Montreal Alouettes @Ivor Wynne Stadium Oct. 23: 8 p.m.

The Wacky World of Hypnosis The Studio @ Hamilton Place

find a hidden gem amongst the rough.

Inexpensive doesn’t necessarily mean cheap, and saving a few dollars here and there may allow you to buy more than you originally anticipated while still being within budget.

Stretching those legs and doing the footwork will save you from stretching your wallet. Show restraint and refrain from impulsive buying.

The old proverb, “patience is a virtue,” is a second golden rule for shopping.

Exercising patience will save you in the long run.

Don’t be tempted to buy the first thing you see because the next store that you visit may have that perfect article of clothing with your name on it waiting for you to pick it up and take it home.

So now that you have the stores and our numerous tips, the only thing left to do is to hit the mall. If you keep what you’ve learned in mind, you’ll always have the best of both worlds — a fantastic wardrobe and money in the bank.

See your name in print!

Write for InsideOut and become a literary rock star.

Meetings every Monday at 1 p.m. or email us at insideout@thesil.ca

C4 • THE SILHOUETTE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

Persevering the passive aggressive Learn how to deal with that “special” person plaguing your life KAITLIN PETERS

willing to take on more than their fair share of the workload.

But, in reality, if they do It’s another day at Mac and you’ve something for you, you damn well got to deal with aggravating, an- better do something for them. They noying and volatile Allie again. She start mentally tabulating the personreally puts a hamper in your day al debt each person owes them, and because she’s the loudest and most hold their chips until they’re ready opinionated person you’ve ever to cash them in. It’s important to met. And when something bothers mention that they are the masters of her you’ll most likely find her right the backhanded compliment. in your face informing you of how A prime example would be “you’re doing it wrong”.

“You’re very creative. I bet you’re

Parker is such a breath of very popular with your dungeons & fresh air compared to annoying Al- dragons friends.” lie, he’s quiet and unobtrusive and You could act offended always seems eager to help. Parker and point them out on the insult, is practically perfect except for but these clever foxes will just deny something that seems a bit off about the insult and said they only ever him. He never complains outright meant to compliment you. And if but you feel like you’re racking up you’re lucky you might even get an some kind of personal debt every “I didn’t realize you were so sensitime he does even tive.” the smallest thing

The apfor you. And when pearance of looking They’re so clever you talk to him you good and putting with their well placed others first is just a always come away feeling slightly of- sighs and bastardly facade and anything they do for someone fended, even though backhanded you don’t remember compliments that you else is just a “busihim ever insulting ness transaction.” don’t know whether you.

To the

Now that they were trying to outside observer, a you think about it, piss you off purposely passive aggressive Parker is kind of person will resemor not.” pissing you off in a ble a humble, kind major way too and it hearted, and genersounds like Parker is ous soul, but after a little passive aggressive. getting to know these ‘saints’ for a

The ultimate users of psy- short period, their true colours bechological warfare, they can tear come quite obvious. you down from the inside without Passive-aggressive behavyou even realizing it and it seems iours don’t seem very volatile beyou can never call them out on it cause really, eye-rolling, sulking, because they never outright do any- and the ever-popular exasperated thing. sigh can only be so effective.

Indeed, passive aggressive But if you’re spending time people can be infinitely more infuri- with one of these people every day, ating than outright annoying pricks these behaviours can really start to because it’s hard to defend yourself grind your nerves until you’re about against them, and they’re so clever ready to throw the aforementioned with their well placed sighs, ey- person into oncoming traffic. And erolls, and bastardly backhanded then guess who looks like the bad compliments that you don’t know guy, that’s right, you! whether they were trying to piss you Of course, this was their off purposely or not. Note: they are plan the entire time because now trying and, worse yet, succeeding. they look like the heroic and be According to mental- trayed martyr. If it makes your evhealth.families.com passive-ag- eryday dealings with these people gressive people are a special brand any more bearable then know that of people because they believe that passive aggressiveness is an actual they are genuinely nice people (in personality disorder in the holy psytheir own twisted minds). chologist’s handbook, the DSM.

They like to appear easy Does a clinical label mean to please, eager to help, and always there’s an amazing drug you can ASSISTANT INSIDEOUT EDITOR

Passive aggressive personalities tend to say one thing and mean another. pop these people with to give them a personality makeover? Unfortunately no, but there are some strategies you can use when dealing with a passive aggressive.

According to ehow.com you should confront them and let them know of their behavior. If you just keep letting them be pricks then you’re only allowing the problem to continue and allowing them to

potentially terrorize many more innocent people.

Also, keep a witness with you. Passive aggressiveness works best in one-on-one situations. If no one’s around to hear the conversation then no one can back you up when they decide to throw out a handy “You look unusually nice today” or signature eyeroll.

Furthermore, if you need

JOY SANTIAGO/ MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

to discuss something with them limit your discussions to e-mail or written notes. It’s hard to play mind games with black and white facts, and by trying to do so they’ll expose themselves as manipulators.

But to be truly happy, the best advice is to just avoid hanging out with these people. They obviously have some issues and you shouldn’t have to deal with them.

THE SILHOUETTE • C5

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

Living with the fear of anxiety disorders When anxiety is preventing you from living your life, get help

Although it might seem overwhelming at first, it’s important to know that these feelings won’t last forever and you will feel normal again.

ALEX BOUDREAU SILHOUETTE INTERN

Quite often, as students we have to deal with the complexities of school, work, relationships and other stresses. It’s not surprising that anxiety affects both new and returning students and chances are if you’re a student you’ve been immersed in a tidal wave of work and stress.

In meeting the expectations of parents, teachers, friends and, of course, yourself, you may often feel like you’re taking on the weight of the world. Students dealing with these very common stresses often learn how to cope and adjust to this workload, while maintaining hobbies and relationships.

However, many young adults find it overwhelming in trying to balance these stresses and may, as such, develop an anxiety disorder. Students dealing with anxiety disorders often find that it impairs and interferes with their entire life.

Seemingly normal tasks can become a daunting challenge to the individual. A person’s emotions, thoughts, behaviour, and even

physical health can all be effects of the many different types of anxiety disorders. Resultantly, they can become an overly unbearable issue.

Now, I know this may seem overwhelming to someone in the process of identifying whether or not they may be struggling with an anxiety disorder, so all you have to do is follow these three easy steps.

1. Identify what kind of anxiety disorder you may have 2. Get back into control 3. Look after yourself

Sarah Auchterlonie, personal counselor for the Centre for Student Development, says that among students, the two most common anxiety disorders are social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorders. “In the case of social anxiety, it can present itself across the board in all social situations; for some it can interfere with their university life. It may be a case of not feeling comfortable working with a group in class, or not comfortable asking the professor a question,” said Auchterlonie.

Auchterlonie goes on to explain that individuals with social phobias have a problem making

new friends and interacting with others. Alternatively, someone with generalized anxiety disorders tend to deal with varying physical and mental symptoms such as insomnia, and difficulty concentrating.

Panic disorder is also a common anxiety disorder among students. Students may experience heightened levels of this when studying for tests or exams.

Finally, post traumatic stress disorder relates to students who have seen or been a part of a violent, sexual or other form of a traumatic event.

To get back in control of your life, it is important to remember that anxiety won’t last forever.

Anxiety in any of its forms is a fairly common problem among students.

“The diagnosis isn’t that important. If there is something that is bothering you that you might want to work on, feel comfortable to make an appointment and talk to somebody. That is the most important thing”, said Auchterlonie. “Students shouldn’t feel like because they don’t fit into a specific criteria, they cannot seek help”.

Talking to friends, family,

SEX and the STEEL CITY

Sexing it up in public places PETER GOFFIN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

In Corinthians, St. Paul commands that all public fornicators be cast out of society. And if So you’ve done it all over the place, the Bible condemns it, you know you sex-crazed nut, you. The bed, it’s good. the couch, the shower, the floor, the The issue at hand, or whatkitchen, on tables, in chairs, and ever, is how to get started. Try to on the cat (sorry, scope out some seSpeckles). Up and cluded spot. Before down your house you get carried and then your part- The illicit fumbling away, scout the loner’s. you do in the back cation for helpful

C o n things like ledges, row of a movie inclines or harnessgratulations. No guest will ever like structures. theatre? Well, cross your threshYou don’t want to babe, that’s old again. But find yourself in the forget that. You’ve throes of passion Sunday got bigger probwithout something school compared to to balance on close lems.

N a m e l y, making it onstage.” at hand. you need to find

T h e n other places in make sure you are which to ball. And, alone with your parthaving defiled ner. “But hold on,” every last inch of your home, ven- you say. “I’ve heard this before.” turing into the public sphere seems Sex in public is cliché. only logical.

Every sex column in every verbal Although film records only society has published at least one extend back about 80 years, there article touting the benefits of the are indications that out-of-the house away game. sex has been happening for millen- And honestly, it doesn’t nia. take a Freudian analysis to under-

stand the excitement surrounding it.

The danger, the adrenaline.

Well, you can always go one step further. Because there is public, and then there’s public.

Sure, sex on some upper floor of the library is fun, but sex in the lobby at midday can really give you the rush you and your squeeze have been looking for.

The illicit fumbling you do in the back row of a movie theatre?

Well, babe, that’s Sunday school compared to making it onstage.

Never mind the actors. They’ll remember their lines eventually.

Okay, maybe those are bad examples. After all, the thrill of sex in public is about the threat of getting caught, not the reality of being arrested for indecent exposure.

It’s all about comfort levels. Maybe to you “public” means hitting the elevator’s emergency button before hitting the floor. Maybe it means your roommate is in the next room. Find out what works for you.

So get out there. Literally out there. Try some places out. Get that sex location bingo card filled up.

But please, try not to make a mess.

or counselors at your school about how you feel is a healthy way of releasing anxiety and stress.

Lastly, and the most difficult step to getting back into control is to put yourself in those uncomfortable situations so that you can allow yourself to be more prepared, knowing your anxiety is not going to take over.

The most valuable and useful step is to look after yourself.

Research shows that exercise and a healthy diet is one of the most im-

JOY SANTIAGO / MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

portant things to achieving mental health. Auchterlonie states that “when we’re under stress we often let self help rituals slip, but the most important thing to remember is to try to make time for yourself.

Participating in activities that are relaxing and you enjoy, having hobbies, pursuing interests, and making time for family and friends will help you maintain a balanced life.” Taking time for you will help you manage and keep your anxiety under control.

C6 • THE SILHOUETTE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

Suit up to be business savvy The key to ensuring you and your resumé get a second look SANTINO MARINUCCI

a reflection of yourself, so if you look sloppy people are going to assume you are a messy and disorganized individual.

When it comes to wearing a suit, many stu- A well fitting suit will not only make dents do not know much when it comes to you look good, it will make you feel more style. Many reading this probably only have confident which impacts your demeanour in their suits from prom, or that one wedding the workplace. So always be sure you are you went to three years ago, because let’s be clean and crisp when you walk into the office. real; why should you worry about having a The next vitally important issue to proper suit? address when picking out a suit is the type of

Buying a properly made suit is also style that you want. This usually differs from more than looking pretty; it is a reflection of company to company in terms of acceptable you. If you show up to work in a suit that is business attire but here are some ideas for a ill-fitting, mismatched, or just plain ugly then little bit of everything. it will reflect back on you before you even First thing is to be honest with open your mouth on your first day in the of- yourself and decide what your body type is fice. because it will greatly influence the type of

You have all seen that Moore’s suit you will end up buying. There are three Clothing for Men commercommon body type categories cial haven’t you? Where the that you may fall into, tall and guy wears his same brown stocky and bulky, and At the end of the thin, suit he bought to every single short. day, finding a suit event from funerals to busiIf you are really tall ness meetings? and thin it is important to althat best fits you

You do not want to ways buy suits that have three is more than just a or more buttons located on the end up like this guy, because fashion show. It is torso of the jacket. people notice. This leads me to my first point. Have more This will bring more important for your than one suit in your closet. proportion to your upper body confidence and

It is imperative that and fill your chest area out. It when you do gather up the advancement in your is also important to avoid verenergy to buy a suit be sure place of work ...” tical stripes or dark colours, as to purchase at least two. This they will make you look skinleaves you more room to mix nier. and match your outfits so that when you do For bulky guys, suits with solid show up to events or work you won’t end up tones will give the slimming effect for which being “that guy who only has one suit.” you have been looking. Also, be sure to

This also goes for dress shirts and choose suits with a single jacket vent at the ties. Understandably suits can be expensive, back. Double vents will make you and your but if you buy different dress shirts and ties suit big and bulky. it can be an affordable alternative until you Lastly, for the shorter guys, it is purchase a larger wardrobe. all about the vertical stripes. This will cre Because remember, if you work in ate the illusion of a taller silhouette, making an office, that is five days a week you have to you stand taller. Avoid placing cuffs on your wear a suit into work. Buy more than one suit. pants, since this will attract attention to your

The next vitally important advice legs and give the impression that your legs when it comes to buying a proper business are shorter.

At the end of the day, finding a suit suit is to make sure that it actually fits you.

Always be sure to have yourself fit- that best fits you is more than just a fashion ted before trying on anything in a suit store, show. It is important for your confidence and this allows you to pick flattering styles for advancement in your place of work and you your body type while ensuring you do not end may even draw more attention to yourself in up with pants that are too long or sleeves that the process, making your work and your ideas noticed. All this because you bought a great are too short.

As I mentioned above, your suit is suit.

ASSISTANT BUSINESS EDITOR

SHOW US WHAT YOU GOT

CHRISTOPHER CHANG / SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR

Wearing a proper fitting suit is integral for making a good impression.

Marijuana here to stay • CONT’D FROM C1

WRITE FOR THE SILHOUETTE thesil@thesil.ca

buy marijuana off the streets in this case, which no doubt renders some sort of association with illegitimacy.

Baldarsaro, who has been using marijuana for 40 years, and Tucker, who has been using marijuana for 50 years, emphasize the seriousness of the situation: “neither [we] nor anyone else [have] ever been poisoned by marijuana on or off the street. [We] have however felt some of it was laced...with something else, which is why we do not go to the street for it.”

Although marijuana is decriminalized, it cannot be purchased in a safe and secure manner, for the majority of people who use it for its recreational benefits, at least. This is the reality of which many people who actively use marijuana deal with on a regular basis. Baldarsaro and Tucker further remark that marijuana is not legalized simply because “the government has not found a way to tax it ... the extravagant effort, made over the past 50 years to destroy the people who use marijuana as a recreant, as a medicine, or for religious purposes, has proven to be a failure and a terrible waste of people and money.”

Nonetheless, it seems that this does not deter people from using marijuana.

For the average university student, the high stress environment associated with school and related activities can be quite taxing on both mind and body. It’s no wonder many young people seek the relaxing benefits of marijuana.

An anonymous source under the alias of Blunt1 says that he has been using marijuana for three years, explaining his reasons for using it: “I guess it started with

curiosity and recreation, now I’ll even use it medicinally or for inspiration. I would...have to say your mind obviously thinks differently under the influence...producing new ideas.

It’s been proven to have a medical value; nothing takes away a headache or a hangover faster.”

Indeed, a quick smoke-and-go cure for life’s everyday blunders may just be the answer to many of our problems. But, Blunt1 noted that “it’s not something you should rely on to cope with things, that’s just unhealthy.

But in terms of stress relief and relaxation it helps for sure, making university more bearable to a degree.”

Although a fairly credible resource for stress relief, marijuana, as Blunt1 says, may not be for everyone: “it’s a personal choice above all. Also, everyone has a different experience similar to the effects of alcohol varying from person to person.”

Marijuana may not to be suited to everyone, but its multifunctional uses make it not only a practical source of food, clothing, and the like, it also works well as a “Godgrown” drug.

As Baldarsaro and Tucker said, “hope springs eternal and it is our hope that eventually our legislators and courts will come to their senses and realize that the destruction of the Canadian People is not the answer to their dilemma.”

Whether or not you hold true to marijuana as passionately as some of its users, or, not at all, its uses are extensive and, heck, consider consuming marijuana an alleviating experience and a fairly fun one at that. As Baldarsaro and Tucker put it, “marijuana, God’s Tree of Life, will eventually have to be recognized for its benefits.” So marijuana users, keep on rolling.

Lifestyle Tidbits

Ratio Finder: an interactive website for the San Francisco and New York regions that pinpoints places where guys and girls congregate. Coming soon to Hamilton?

Aggressive men are surprisingly bad at remembering a woman’s rejection of their advances. Sound familiar ladies?

Having trouble finding a girlfriend? Move to Latvia where there is currently a male shortage due to high male mortality rates.

THE SILHOUETTE • C7

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

BUSINESS

production office extension: 27117 business@thesil.ca

American intervention

ILLUSTRATION BY JOY SANTIAGO / MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Canadian recovery stunted by a stagnant US economy Simon Granat Business Editor

The words “modest recovery” not only accurately describe the state of the Canadian economy, but they are also apt in describing the Canadian financial ideology. The term modest recovery is hardly comforting to those left to fend for themselves in the employment line. When the Great Recession hit in 2007, Canadians were proud that their banking system was relatively unaffected, however after two years the Canadian recovery has stalled, or at best shows “modest” growth. Why is it that Canada’s economic recovery has been slower than expected?

In a speech to the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce, Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney admitted that while employment numbers may show signs of improvement on the surface, there are underlying tensions in the market.

One indicator would be that the debt to asset ratio is still the highest it has been in twenty years and the bank believes that this could present a looming problem for the Canadian economy.

According to the Bank of Canada, half of the new jobs created have been in the public sector, and are involuntarily part-time work. This represents an even larger trend that shows while 0.1 per cent more Canadians may be employed in September than October, 2010, there is still not adequate work available to satisfy labour market demands.

The proliferation of part-time work has created a chain reaction within the Canadian economy. It has lowered

household incomes substantially and that has caused household debt to rise to near-historic levels. Carney said that, “Canadian household balance sheets are becoming increasingly stretched.” To some, Mark Carney may be stretching the truth and Canadian households may in debt. According to the Bank, for the past 37 quarters Canadian households have collectively run a net deficit. “Their [Canadian household] investment in housing has outstripped their total savings for over nine straight years. In effect, households are demanding funds from the rest of the economy, rather than providing them, as had been the case through the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s,” reported Carney.

During this time, housing prices have risen, and as a result Canadians’ net worth to debt ratio has remained in the black. Carney believes that it is the debt Canadians carry that puts them in an economically vulnerable position. “Asset prices can rise and fall, debt endures,” the Governor said.

The elephant sleeping to the South could exploit the weaknesses in the Canadian economy. In the past two years, the United States government has struggled to overcome the economic crisis. The unemployment rate currently sits at 9.6 per cent for the month of August 2010. To compound problems, there are high levels of underemployment and longterm unemployment sits around 40 per cent.

The decline in employment has outpaced America’s decline in GDP, this is in large part due to restructuring of automotive, construction and other manufacturing industries as well as a stagnant housing market. Long-term unemployment could mean that workers who return to growing sec-

tors may find that they have adequate skills and to compound matters, the distressed housing market has prevented workers from moving in search of work.

According to the Bank of Canada, housing starts and motor vehicle sales in the United States will have the greatest affect on the Canadian economy.

With low levels of employment, and an oblong banking sector, the elephant downstairs is currently living with a stagnant housing sector. Automotive sales also remain depressed, current demand is estimated at 11 million vehicles per year, while the average demand between 2000 and 2006 was 17 million vehicles per year.

While the housing and automotive sectors have a vast influence on the Canadian economy, the stagnant United States government presents two other problems to the Canadian economy. As Canada’s largest trading partner, a depressed economy south of the border means that natural resource and manufacturing industries could see slow growth going forward.

Moreover, the severe troubles in the United States economy could have an even greater effect on global economy by hurting investor confidence. There is little good news to report, businesses have pushed to increase productivity and the household savings rate has climbed to six per cent. However, the interdependence that has been created by decades of trade between Canada and the United States means that investors will be looking for more than just silver lining, especially in the American economy before market confidence will return.

Footing the bill for a broken textbook industry Santino Marinucci

Assistant Business Editor

One of the biggest issues that students face each year is the ever increasing cost of textbooks. This is coupled with the annoying task of finding deals online for new and used books which are usually only $20 to $30 cheaper than what you would find in your university bookstore.

This is only one of many cracks present in today’s textbook market. The system is broken in the sense that publishing companies continue to raise the prices of already expensive textbooks to make up for lost sales from expensive books.

Despite what you may think about how our books are priced, keep in mind that our university bookstore is not out to get us.

I had the opportunity to interview Mark Lefebvre, the current Book Operations Manager at Titles Bookstore about the rising costs of our textbooks and the future of the broken system.

When asked about why prices have

been on the rise, Lefebvre began to explain how the problem stems from the publishing companies. “When they start to lose money, they bring out new editions every three years to drive the price up to compensate for the sales that are down and continually goes into a downward spiral so the price keeps going up and the sales keep going down. This cannot continue to exist because it is just bad business.”

Lefebvre also discussed how many university bookstores, including McMaster’s, have dedicated time and money to finding new ways to drive down the insanely high prices of textbooks for their students. He also outlined that a lot of the cost determination comes from each department within faculties and that professors have started working with publishers and the bookstore to alleviate prices.

“The Chemistry department at McMaster negotiated with the publisher, which rarely happens and is something I wish we could do more of and they put out a [Request For Proposal] asking publishers the best price

for what the faculty wanted. The faculty wanted a textbook, a solution manual, and eaccess and the publishers had to come in with the best price.”

“The package we sell here thanks to the Chemistry department is $106 for the textbook, the solution manual, and the e-book. Separately this would be over $350 to buy.” He also discussed how some professors have taken matters into their own hands in making the students’ lives easier. One professor compiled all the chapters that she was going to cover in the semester and sold it to the students for half the price of the full textbook. This not only saves the student money but increases sales for both the publisher and the university bookstore.

“Using the print on demand method, Dr. Ostevich — who is in the Psychology department — rather than using the whole textbook which is $124, she just included the eight chapters she was going to read. She worked McGraw Canada with just the chapters she wanted and in this case the price was reduced 50 per cent. Also in this case we went

from 50 per cent of kids buying the books to 100 per cent.” When looking at the costs associated with buying the books, Titles Bookstore is given a 20 per cent margin when selling the book. In the case of print on demand, publishers give a 40 per cent margin to Titles with selling the texts because the price of printing is placed on the bookstore.

Lastly, to those who think Titles is lining their pockets with our hard earned money and raising the prices just because they want too, this is far from the truth. The 20 per cent margin Titles places on its books are for operating costs and they also contribute over a million dollars back into the school.“We provide over a million dollars to the university, $250,000 of which is specially earmarked for student services like clubs and societies, so at the end of the day, the money that we make goes back to servicing stuff for the students.”

So in short, is there any hope for cheaper textbooks on the horizon? Maybe, but still be prepared to spend all your Christmas money again this year.

[ Inside Business ] We’re talking to...

Is Chip and PIN safe?

Wheat’s the big deal?

Nobel Prize winner Myron Scholes talks about the economic recovery, market regulation and McMaster.

Canadian credit has moved to chip and PIN technology. But does having to key in a four-digit number make you any safer?

Pg. C8

Low income Canadian families trying to feed their bellies could feel the pressure of inflated grain prices.

Pg. C9

Pg. C10

C8 • THE SILHOUETTE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

Around Who’s watching your credit?

Chip and PIN technology may not be enough to prevent theft the World United Kingdom

The Office for National Statistics, the United Kingdom’s statistical reporting agency, said that the UK’s unemployment rate dipped from 7.8 per cent in August to 7.7 per cent in September. However, the unemployment benefit rose, by 5,300 people to a total of 1.47 million claimants.

Analysts fear that the unemployment rate will rise when the government’s cuts take hold of the economy.

Nigeria

Cecilia Ubru, former CEO of Nigerian bank Oceanic Bank, has plead guilty to three counts of fraud and financial mismanagement. She has been sentenced to six months in prison for each count, but will serve her term concurrently. She has been ordered to repay US$1.2 billion in cash and assets to the Nigerian government.

Ubru has been blamed as one of a group of executives who are responsible for almost causing the collapse of nine banks in 2009.

Japan

For the first time in six years, the Bank of Japan has stepped in to cool the rising yuan that has hit a 15-year high compared to the US Dollar.

Japan has not announced the size of the intervention, but analysts speculate that the Bank sold somewhere in the neighbourhood of one trillion yuan.

After the intervention, the US dollar rose 3.1 per cent and the Euro gained 2.9 per cent on the yuan.

Bolivia

The Bolivian government repealed a coca production law that limited the amount of coca leaves to 2kg per month, down from 7kg per month.

The Bolivian government said that when they enacted the law, they did not consult enough coca growers to legitimize the decision. Coca growers associations across Bolivia are happy with the decision but resolve to protest other issues that are ongoing in the country.

Chip and PIN technology is suppose to make paying with plastic a lot safer, but are you still at risk for credit fraud?

Simon Granat Business Editor

You can almost hear it now can’t you? Shhh, listen real hard. Morgan Freeman is calling you. He’s enthralling you with all the wondrous benefits of chip and PIN technology that come as a part of your new Visa card.

The credit card companies promise that the new technology is safe and while it may be, the technology is not impenetrable.

It wasn’t long ago that the credit card companies introduced chip and PIN technology in Canada.

However, the technology existed in Europe for years before. So while we Canucks are still figuring out what our PIN is, the technology is old hat across the pond. This also means that fraudsters had potential access and knowledge about how to get around the chip and PIN technology before it even reached Canadian shores.

According to the RCMP, credit card fraud and counterfeiting accounted for the largest losses in both the debit and credit card industries. They reported that fraudulent use of credit card accounts in Canada totalled $128,362,477.

Counterfeiting was even higher totalling $196,653,970. A common way that credit thieves defeat chip and PIN technology is to replace the Personal Electronic Display device (the thing that you swipe your card through) with one that has been doctored to relay your account number, PIN and any other relevant information to a third party location. There, they can either use your information directly over the internet, or use it to manufacture a new card with a magnetic stripe.

They can then use that new card at any location to pilfer your funds.

This can happen because your account information, and PIN are not encrypted after you enter them, while they travel through the ma-

ur p a r t o y o D

China

In August, China’s trade surplus fell to the lowest level in five months, US$16.9 billion. Analysts believe that this decrease will not ease the pressure that the United States is placing on China to make China stop artificially devaluing their currency.

Exports rose 25.1 per cent to US$145 billion. Imports also rose by 24.1 per cent to a record high US$128.1 billion.

Ireland

An Irish judge ruled in favour of Internet Service Provider UPC that Internet users who download music and other content illegally cannot have their connection “cut off.” The judge ruled that an Internet service provider could not be held liable for the actions of Internet users.

for the economic recovery Write for business.

Meetings: Tuesday @ Noon MUSC B110

chine.

For many consumers this can be a terrifying reality, because it takes prevention out of their hands and puts the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of retailers. Best practices for retailers to ensure the safety of their customers is to pay attention to your personal display device at all times, and when employees are away from the counter, they should be trained to place the PED under the counter or in some other hidden place.

This ensures that thieves have to work harder and take more time to find the devices, before they have a chance to replace them there is a greater chance that the employee will notice, take action and save your credit.

Retailers should keep vigil if they think anything on their PED is out of place, they should call the bank that supplied the device immediately and request a replacement. Often, but not always, doc-

MICHELLE NG /SILHOUETTE STAFF

tored machines will have an extra hole drilled in the bottom. However, it’s not always possible to tell with a casual glance if a device has been swapped.

For consumers wanting to make sure that their credit cards are safe, there is not much they can do differently to protect a PIN card.

Clients should always keep their PIN secret, cover it when they key it in at the register. They should also make sure to keep their cards safely tucked away in a wallet or purse. In addition, if they think that their card has been compromised, stolen or lost, they should contact their creditor immediately to cancel that card and request a replacement be sent.

At the end of the day, credit fraud depends on how much you trust the places you shop, not just that they could be skimming you, but that they’ve protected themselves from skimming too.

THE SILHOUETTE • C9

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

Executive Silhouette

Having faith in financial In markets Brief Living the rich life

American cereal giant, General Mills has launched a Spanish Language app for the iPhone.

The app, Que Rica Vida Recetario is a database that brings together more than 900 Latininspired recipes. The app is an extension of General Mills’ Hispanic marketing platform that brings together a website and a free quarterly lifestyle magazine. The app is available for no charge.

I

n 1997 Myron Scholes won the Nobel Prize in Economics for his co-creation of the Black-Scholes equation, with his colleague Fischer Black. The equation is a way for banks and markets to value and measure derivatives. Scholes was born in Timmins, Ontario and graduated from McMaster with a BA in economics in 1962 and then moved on to the University of Chicago where he earned an MBA and a PhD. He then went on to teach at Stanford University and retired in 1996. He currently still holds a position as the Frank E. Buck Professor of Finance at Stanford. Simon Granat caught up with him in September to talk about McMaster, financial regulation and the recession.

Scooby Dooby-Doo

Scooby Doo will be available on Time Warner Cable on Demand, on the Cartoon Network Channel for free in the United States.

On Demand allows viewers to view their program at any time, by selecting options from the onscreen menu. The Canadian children’s counterpart to the Cartoon Network, Teletoon will premier the movie Scoobie Doo: Curse of the Lake Monster on just in time for Halloween on Oct. 30, 2010.

EI not enough PHOTO C/O MYRON SCHOLES

Simon Granat: What did it feel like to win the Nobel Prize in Economics? Do you think it changed you in any way?

Myron Scholes: Obviously, to be awarded the Nobel Prize was wonderful. For me, the award was an affirmation of my work more so for the community at large than for the economics profession. Most in the economics profession had already appreciated my contributions to economics.

I was sad, however, that Fischer Black, my co-originator of the options-pricing model had passed away and did not participate with us in receiving the prize. Not being able to know the “but for” case makes it difficult to ascertain the changes that the award brought. I would say, however, that I became more of a “guru.” That is, a guru not only has information and insights but also a guru garners trust.

SG: After attending and working at prestigious schools like the Chicago School of Economics and Stanford, when you look back on it, how would you describe your experience at McMaster?

MS: I attended McMaster at a different stage of my career. McMaster gave me time to ready myself for the next stage of my life. I had to realize my direction. My intuition told me that I needed to buy information, to explore many different directions and be patient.

McMaster allowed me to hone in on what was the next correct step to take in my career. I could not have asked for anything more.

Each new school was a new learning experience and allowed me to grow dramatically.

SG: What qualities do you think a student needs to succeed in their future career whether it be academia, economics or anything?

MS: I think a love of learning is crucial. Be curious, be challenging, don’t worry about failure, and create a feedback system allowing for constructively critical evaluations of progress.

We must combine a strategic vision with a tactical one and learn to adjust the mix throughout our careers. It is our bouncing back and forth between the two that enriches life and challenges our entrenched beliefs.

SG: How does it feel to know that students at McMaster are studying your work?

MS: That is a reward. I am happy that students enjoy my work and internalize it. Moreover, I am excited that they want to add to it or move it into more relevant directions.

SG: Do you think that we have seen the worst of

the recession or is there a good chance we’ll see a double dip?

MS: The recession will be with us for a while. I am not confident that Europe or the U.S. understands that this is not a recession in a classical sense. We are adjusting to a cultural or structural shock. Individuals, corporations and governments must adjust to new realities that risks are much greater in the global economy than thought prior to the crisis.

As a result, debt reduction, savings increases, more diversification, more flexibility in operating and financing activities await all constituents. Unemployment will remain high for many years to come.

It would seem to me that if we all want to save more, that to stimulate the economy, governments should move to encourage private investments and to undertake projects that add value for society. Although necessary in the “short run”, transfer payments increase debt and not economic value.

We don’t want to increase gross domestic product by adding to debt; we want to increase GDP through investments. And, Central Bank policies, which try to prevent prices from adjusting, set the stage for asset price bubbles and inflation, with subsequent attempts to dampen inflation causing uncertainty and costs in the market. More neutral Central Bank policies would benefit society.

SG: How far do you think we should go to regulate markets? Should we try and make them safer or is risk just a part of the game?

MS: Markets work. Some claim that market fail.

During the crisis of 2008, the intermediation process failed to operate as it had done prior to the crisis. But at times of shock, intermediaries such as banks withdraw capital until they have had time to reassess asset valuations. Markets become more disjointed. Finance and life for that matter are volatility time.

Although it might be boring, when volatility is low, we have a long time to adjust or make changes; when volatility is ample we adjust more quickly but at an adequate pace.

When volatility is extreme, we don’t have enough time to make decisions quickly. In a sense, time, decision-making stops, the chaos around us overwhelms us. Markets become chaotic. This is akin to Goldilocks and the Three Bears. This, however, is how markets should work.

I would support regulation that is based on an understanding of the intermediation process and that shocks create a change in both the intermediation process, liquidity provision, and valuations. I don’t support regulations that are

Bear:

JPMorgan Chase

(NYSE:JPN-M)

If the financial crisis taught us anything it should be that when US banks post record profits, investors should be worried. On Wednesday, JPMorgan Chase announced that profits for Q3 jumped 23 per cent, or US$4.42 billion compared to US$3.59 billion in the same quarter last year. The gain was because the bank was able to cover loan losses with some of its funds. Before you invest, just remember: the trouble in the American housing market hasn’t ended.

based on “anger” or on “retribution” of market participants. We have myriad rules on the books; were they enforced? We have a mixed economy.

Markets are interrelated with government activities. The marriage is always strained. We must find ways to work on the relationship and enhance efficiency.

SG: What drives you?

MS: Sometimes I am inductive, bouncing around from idea to idea or just trying to understand one thing or another, without real purpose. This is my gathering information phase. It is a restive, meditative part of my life. At other times I am purpose-driven. I have a goal or objective and I search or strive to attain my goal. I was trained as a scientist. My desire is to understand and to learn. I have always found that the learning creates my reward. And, I have fun at each step of the way, including the failures, for each failure provides me information as to the next steps to take.

SG: What conditions are important for a university to provide to help students reach their full potential?

MS: Learning comes from other students, from faculty, from own study and myriad other inputs. Universities must provide these inputs to enhance understanding and learning. The educational process should be a combination of the vertical, in depth knowledge within a particular subject or discipline, and the horizontal, a cross-sectional or cross-discipline approach wherein students and faculty address problems that to build understanding need both depth and breadth.

Students should devour the within discipline learning to allow for research in their own areas, and to relish a chance to search for problems that require a cross-discipline approach involving faculty and students outside their discipline.

The university should foster both approaches to provide students with tools and to provide students with a way to use their expertise and tools in conjunction with the expertise and tools of others to address important problems, for example, population dynamics, information technology evolution, or scarcity, among other problems.

In a complex society we need to work in teams with the belief that the whole is much greater than the sum of the parts.

That creates the true value of learning or education. The university is a perfect environment to make this happen, in particular, if they bring inputs and expertise in from the broader community at large to enhance understanding.

Bull:

General Motors No symbol, yet

I may be a little early on this, but quasi-auto giant, General Motors has announced that they will price their initial public offering between $20 and $25 per share. GM has remained tight lipped on the size of the IPO, but Ed Whitacre says that it will be large enough to reduce the American government’s 61 per cent stake in the company. While you can’t buy in yet, success could be just over the horizon for GM, so long as they can move the cars off the lot.

Ken Lewenza, President of the CAW spoke out against the Government’s handling of EI programs in Canada on Oct. 12, 2010. He urged that the government should take action to extend EI benefits to help Canadians in need, believing that the Canadian government is overly optimistic about the speed of the country’s economy. Lewenza also noted that extended UI benefits in the United States have been credited for boosting consumer spending and other economic gains.

Cheaper homes for all

TD Bank Financial Group changed its residential mortgage rates on Oct. 12, 2010. The six month and one year open fixed rate mortgages did not change, while other all fixed rates decreased by 0.1 per cent. All special fixed rate mortgages also decreased by 0.1 per cent, with the exception of the one year closed mortgage which saw no change.

Re-rebranding fail

After unveiling their new logo online, American clothes retailer the Gap has switched back to their old logo after an online backlash caused the company to make an about face. The company first changed the logo on their website and shortly after received flak on Twitter and Facebook. The new logo featured “Gap” in black with a blue box in the upper right corner. The company has completely abandoned any future plans at rebranding their logo.

A wise man can hear profit in the wind

According to a study conducted by the Canadian Wind Association, the sales of small wind energy systems have grown by 55 per cent in the past five years.

Small wind energy machines are used to power homes, farms, small businesses and small off grid communities. The association predicts that with favourable conditions, the market could grow by over 40 per cent over the next 15 years. Saskatchewan is currently the only province with incentives for the purchase of small wind systems in Canada.

C10 • THE SILHOUETTE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

Commodities

Expensive grains hurt families Simon Granat Business Editor

There is trouble growing in the Canadian economy. It isn’t the devaluation of the United States dollar, the growth of the Loonie or the artificial devaluation of the Chinese Yuan.

Instead, the next big hurdle for the Canadian economy will be the rise of grain commodity prices.

This year wheat prices have skyrocketed, up about 60 per cent from US$440.00 in July 2010 to close at US$712.00 per bushel on the Chicago Board of Exchange.

Poor weather in two of the world’s highest wheat growing countries, and greater than expected demand has pushed the price of wheat and other grains to unprecedented levels.

There have been high levels of rain and crop failures as well as dwindling inventories in Canada. Russia has also had poor environmental conditions, the end result of which means that both countries have produced less wheat than expected in the past year.

China is the world’s largest wheat producing country. According to a study commissioned for the USDA by Bryan Lohmar, China’s wheat production peaked in 1997 and has “significantly declined” since then. While the supply of wheat has dwindled in the past year, there has been a growing demand for grain products in the world. The growth of the middle class in China and India has increased wheat consumption in these countries.

According to Nazir Moulovi, writer for the Hindu Businessline, the rise in wheat consumption is due to the growth of China and India’s population, which has gradually increased demand while

CHRISTOPHER CHANG / SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR

If grain prices continue to rise, it may make problems worse for families already feeling the crunch of the recession. supply of the grains remains precarious because of weather patterns and growing conditions.

The other factor that has pushed grain prices higher has been the popularization and growth of biofuels. According to the report Global Biofuels outlook: 20092015, global biofuel consumption is set to double by 2015. The report states that increased demand will largely be driven by a 30 per cent increase in the United States.

The danger for the Canadian economy is not macro, but instead micro. Currently, the Ca-

nadian unemployment rate is eight per cent, and levels of household income are also lower than previous years.

As wheat prices rise, this increase will be spread throughout the market and will translate to higher prices in basic staples such as flour, bread and cereals. Inflated prices have the potential to cripple the Canadian consumer, especially those who are unemployed or facing wage freezes and pay cuts.

While Canadians with relatively negligible levels of income may find it hard to feed themselves

because of increased grain prices, for those with a slightly higher household income increased grain prices will have a different effect.

Increased grain prices probably won’t starve the bellies of those in a slightly higher income bracket. But for families whose income levels fall into the second lowest quatrain, increased grain prices may lower disposable income and, as a result, levels of consumer spending may also decrease.

This “spill over” effect may have particular relevance to

the American economy, where consumer spending is the largest source of economic revenue within the country. If the rise in grain prices significantly inflates the price of cereals and other consumer products, the Canadian and United States governments may want to take a cue from China and artificially deflate the prices, or at the very least subsidize the price of grains.

If world demand continues to grow while supply stagnates, then grain futures may pay off for investors, but families and consumer spending may feel the pinch.

Personal Finance

Dripping with success How using DRIPs can give young investors confidence and the potential for stable income Santino Marinucci

Assistant Business Editor

When it comes to the art of investing, many believe that this is a practise only businessmen and stockbrokers undertake on a daily basis. Well this could not be farther from the truth-investing is a practise that anybody can learn and with significant ease.

So, as a student, is it realistic for you to begin learning about the stock market? Would it be financially beneficial to invest the little you do have into a company?

The answers are yes you should, and yes it absolutely will be beneficial. There is no better way for beginner investors to learn than through DRIP (Canadian Dividend Reinvestment Programs).

The Canadian Dividend Reinvestment Program is the best way to begin your journey through the stock market. This is because unlike regular stocks, where you buy shares at market value, you can buy DRIPs right from the company.

Doing it through this method will also sometimes allow you to get shares at a discounted price, so this makes the stocks well worth what you paid for them.

Ok, this DRIP method is starting to sound like a pretty sweet deal right? Well it gets even better when you run some quick numbers about the possible returns you could have.

Let’s say that you invest in a company at $7 a share and you buy 50 of them. That is $350 of starting investment in this company that you have infused. This is where the beauty of dividends comes into play. If you are not aware of what a dividend is it is a payment to the corporation’s shareholders taken from a portion of their profits.

Now for the sake of argument, let’s say this stock stays at $7 constantly and the company gives you a four per cent return each quarter (which happens four times a year). You should get a payment

of $50 without even doing a thing.

However, this is only if the price of your shares stays constant, which is never the case.

So you may end up taking home more dividends at the end of each quarter if your stocks do well and increase in value. So if the price of your stock increases from $7 to $11, it will allow you to reap more benefits, making you a happy camper. This is why dividends will always be your best friend when you are in the world of investing.

However, when it comes to DRIPs they call it a reinvestment plan for a reason as you have to invest in your portfolio each month. This can be any amount you wish to put into your investments and can be achieved easily through cutting out one non-essential activity you partake in each week. This will allow you more capital to work with each month and provide you with returns far greater than that Starbucks latte you just bought.

When you are starting out, $350 can be a large sum for any student to spend on anything, let alone something they have no knowledge in, but setting aside $25 to $30 a month can help you save up for you first investment.

Another big excuse many people use for not investing in the market is the level of risk associated with investing. It is true there is always a risk when placing your money in the stock market, however, proper research of companies beforehand will allow you to make better judgements on where to invest your money. Also be sure to never place all of your eggs in one basket when investing in more than one stock. This is the cardinal rule for investing, so for example if you place all your hope in the energy sector and the stock tanks you will be out more money than if you diversified your portfolio.

When it comes to investing using the DRIP method, it is important to know that because you are investing over a long period of

PHOTO C/O UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

Choosing a dividend reinvestment program can generate high levels of investment income. time you should invest in low risk stable returns for you as an investor. stocks.

If you are still not con This will also help you if vinced to start investing, keep in you are a beginner because these mind that it is not just a lottery types of stock stay pretty constant where you win some and lose some. and are less volatile in the market.

It is a tool where you can Examples of stocks that generate the extra income that all are low risk are Canadian Bonds, students need, and when you use banks such as CIBC, or consumer DRIP it can help you change from a products like Proctor and Gamble beginner investor to an experienced as they all generally have good one, without getting your pockets dividend programs and can ensure cleaned out in the market.

THE SILHOUETTE • C11

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

From the Gould Trading Floor

A match made in heaven

Ballmer is tight lipped on possibility of Adobe acquisition

Global Market Summary Housing

In Canada, analysts expect the country’s new home prices to continue a moderate consolidation, falling by 0.1 per cent, month-over-month. Meanwhile, as commodity prices strengthen and employment in central Canada’s manufacturing sector recovers slightly, the country’s international merchandise trade deficit is expected to shrink, from $2.7 billion to $2.3 billion.

US Economy

In the United States, the trade deficit is thought to have widened, expanding from $42.8 billion to $44 billion. Meanwhile, figures for advanced retail sales are expected to stay steady at 0.4 per cent growth. A glimmer of hope, optimism among small businesses, as measured by the NFIB is expected to show a moderate increase.

Upcoming Earnings

Companies announcing earnings this week include chipmaker Intel Corp., denim-maker Levi Struss & Co., bank JPMorgan Chase & Co., and the rising star of Silicon Valley, internet search giant Google Inc.

Global Indexes

The major global equity indices finished the week up, without exception.

Gain leaders in the Americas were the Dow Industrial Average, up 2.37 per cent, and the benchmark S&P 500 Index, up 2.47 per cent. In Europe, the DAX closed up 2.57 per cent, while in Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 2.6 per cent.

At the heart of this rise was the increasing certainty among investors of further intervention by the United States Federal Reserve in monetary policy through quantitative easing, part of a global effort among central banks to spur inflation.

Oil

Crude oil rose modestly over the course of the week, closing at US$82.66 per barrel on Oct. 8, as compared to US$81.58 a week earlier, the result of continued uncertainty among investors over the strength and momentum of a nascent global economic recovery.

Gold

Meanwhile, the same anxieties helped continue gold’s meteoric rise. The precious metal closed at US$1346.74 per troy ounce with the lack of depth in the American economic recovery becoming apparent, combined with the prospect of further quantitative easing by the US Federal Reserve.

Volatility in the currency markets and a weak US dollar continues to support the commodity.

PHOTO C/O JESUS GORRITI

Jesse Shim

The Silhouette

Adobe Systems Inc.’s (NASDAQ:ADBE.O) stock witnessed an 11.5 per cent rally, closing at $28.69 on Oct. 7 after a media report incited speculation the company may become the next target for acquisition by Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT.O).

The New York Times recently reported that Microsoft CEO Steven Ballmer had held a secret meeting with Adobe chief Shantanu Narayen at the company’s San Francisco head office. The meeting, which lasted more than an hour, is thought to have covered a number of topics including Apple’s influence over the mobile phone market.

It is widely believed the discussion centred on ways the two could support each other against their rival.

A possible acquisition of Adobe by Microsoft was among the options raised.

Holly Campbell, Senior Director of Corporate Communications at Adobe, could not deny the meeting took place. “Adobe and Microsoft share millions of customers around the world and the CEO’s of the two companies do meet from time to time,” she said.

“However, we do not publicly comment on the timing or topics of their private meetings.”

“No comment,” Ballmer

said on Friday at a conference in Madrid. He added jokingly, “If you are going to do something, you say nothing. So I will be entirely consistent with standard CEO operating procedure.”

Based on Adobe’s cur rent market value, this deal could be worth around US$15 billion

excluding any premium Microsoft might pay.

A deal would mark a major offensive in Microsoft’s bid for a larger share of Internet media and mobile platforms. Microsoft is already looking to take on Apple and the other Smartphone giants with the release of Windows Phone 7, which has an interface designed specifically for everyday consumers.

Windows Phone 7 runs primarily on Microsoft’s Silverlight architecture, a competitor for Adobe’s Flash technology.

The Wall Street Journal

reports that Microsoft will formally unveil Monday a lineup of Smartphones using the revamped version of its mobile operating system, Windows 7. The phones will be available through AT&T and T-Mobile USA.

C12 • THE SILHOUETTE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2010

sufjan stevens • best coast • comedy styles social network • this movie is broken • canadian food

andex

D2 • the silhouette’s art + culture magazine

thursday, october 14, 2010

Senior Editor: Roxanne Hathway-Baxter Entertainment Editor: Myles Herod Music Editor: Dan Hawie Contributors: Derek Hung, Josh Parsons, Monique Lizon, Michael Hewak, Colin Leggett, Chris Hoy, Alex Boudreau, Collin Willox, Jemma Wolfe

Cover: Tyler Hayward

this week

please write for andy musc b110.

sep.4-dec.12 sept.18-jan.2

Art Gallery of Hamilton 123 King St. Hamilton 905-577-6610 info@artgalleryofhamilton.com

Jackson Square Cinema

sept.18-jan.2

Skeleton Witch Absinthe 8:00 p.m.

“Doodles to Digital: Editorial Cartooning in the 21st Century”

And She Was On Art Gallery of Hamilton 123 King St., Hamilton 905-577-6610 info@artgalleryofhamilton. com

Jackass 3D Fri - Sat: 7:00, 9:30

Forging a Path Art Gallery of Hamilton 123 King St., Hamilton 905-577-6610 info@artgalleryofhamilton. com

theatre

Secretariat Fri - Sat: 6:50, 9:50

The Social Network Fri - Sat: 6:15, 9:00 Case 39 Fri - Sat: 6:40 Red Fri - Sat: 6:25, 9:05

oct.15-23

Eugene Ripper This Ain’t Hollywood 9:00 p.m.

opening

Bahamas The Casbah 8:00 p.m.

ancaster

Hooded Fang The Casbah 8:00 p.m.

Red Fri - Sat: 7:00, 10:10

Life as We Know It Fri - Sat: 7:40, 10:40

jackson

Lee Harvey Osmond Corktown Pub 8:00 p.m.

Silvercity Ancaster

The Social Network Fri - Sat: 7:40, 10:40

festivals

Acacia Strain Club Absinthe 8:00 p.m.

Jackass 3D Red Conviction

Festivals Ancaster 2010 Film Fest Nowhere Boy (Nov. 1) Mon: 4:00

Drowsy Chaperone Westside Concert Theatre 434 King St. W (905) 777-9777 info@hammerentertainment

Educating Rita

By Willy Russell Theatre Aquarius 190 King William St. (905) 522-7529 boxoffice@theatreaquarius

andy’s ticks now

we dreamt about you again last night

nov.4

nov.3

Melissa Auf Der Maur The Casbah 8:00 p.m.

nov.8

nov.2

The Wooden Sky The Casbah 8:00 p.m.

nov.10

oct.30

Garaj Mahal The Casbah 9:00 p.m.

nov.11

oct.29

Alan Wilder’s Recoil This Ain’t Hollywood 8:00 p.m.

nov.13

oct.28

Diamond Rings This Ain’t Hollywood 8:00 p.m.

nov.16

oct.28

Coheed & Cambria Hamilton Place Studio 8:00 p.m.

Monster Truck This Ain’t Hollywood 9:00 p.m.

nov.19

oct.27

Hannah Georgas The Casbah 8:00 p.m.

Saint Alvia This Ain’t Hollywood 8:00 p.m.

nov.21

oct.24

Electroluminescent The Casbah 9:00 p.m.

Wintergloves The Casbah 8:00 p.m.

nov.24

oct.16

Pull Start Rockets Corktown Pub 8:00 p.m.

Will Currie The Casbah 8:00 p.m.

nov.25

oct.16

Monster Truck The Casbah 10:00 p.m.

Hugh Cornwell This Ain’t Hollywood 8:00 p.m.

nov.25

oct.15

We Came As Romans Absinthe 6:00 p.m.

art

film

music

oct.27-nov.14

in the hammer

stuffing, 60s-era spiderman, personal ads, space jam, joey, paper airplanes, ginger ale, charles barkley, 5 gum, yogurt covered almonds, dan’s cat, deerhunter: halcyon digest, library naps, 90s at 9, bands detained at the american border, the professor brothers, not believing in tuna, boy george

the ass groove on your couch is too defined

get writing for andy meetings are held on mondays at 12:00pm in musc b110

e-mail your submissions to andy@thesil.ca

column

thursday, october 14, 2010

f.u.b.a.r.

a loose genre descriptor for the artists selected in this year’s long list.

For the columnist, the Polaris panel editorial column often sways towards a dan hawie “contrarian” bias of all things indie, which for him was an obvious reaThe Globe and Mail ran an article a few weeks back regarding the Po- son for the exclusion of Canadian laris Music Prize and whether it hits like Michael Bublé’s Crazy Love. should be satirically renamed with “Can one million fans be wrong?” “indie” in its official title. For the he posed. More on that comment uninformed, the Polaris Music Prize later.

The term “indie” in the is an award given out to the best Canadian full-length album of the context of Polaris, and more generyear. Regardless of genre, sales, or ally in the categorization of modern the artist’s record label, a huge pan- music seems to have digressed from el of judges ranging from journalists its original meaning. You see, “into radio personalities determine the die” is derived from “independent winner based on artistic merit – the music,” (duh) which in the shortest summary possible is a description prize being a lofty $20,000.

The article was an inter- of an artist whose motives via writview with Polaris founder and di- ing, recording, and publishing are rector, Steve Jordan, who addressed entirely free from the influence of growing concerns on the competi- major commercial record labels. tion’s “strong taste” in favouring Consider it a DIY approach for an “indie music.” Here’s what irked artist in maintaining complete conme so much about the conversa- trol of his career.

Now this is all well and tion: The term “indie” itself was presented from the columnist’s per- good, as a number of influential spective (who assumed the objective music scenes – from Seattle grunge, role of public opinion, granted) as to New York punk rock – have suc-

cessfully defined a great deal of cultural history in pushing that ethos of independence. Yet the very essence of the term “indie” has more recently found itself thrust into the wonderful world of critical descriptors. That is, “indie” has become synonymous with “alternative” when describing the sound of artists in this vein. When exactly this began I’m not too sure, but the rise of the world wide web in this past decade as a means of interconnectivity definitely correlates with the popularity of “indie” as an “it” term of this generation.

Last.fm, a site that allows users to tag their own music with genre descriptors has over 1.5 million people using the tag “indie” over a spread of artists ranging from Radiohead and Phoenix, to Bright Eyes and Arctic Monkeys.

Can you already see the problem?

None of these four sonically relate, yet they’re lumped into the same categories of genre. Sure, the music thing may not draw parallels between these four, but hey, they’re indie because they aren’t mainstream … right?

Save for the fact that they still wear the term “indie” on their

the big tickle compiled by jon fairclough

“it’s a hipster trend”

sleeves, each is still in some way or another associated with a major label – which even the likes of Radiohead can’t deny with both Capitol Records and bigger brother EMI scowling from the heavens over a sour break up. This scope of tagging indicates the blurring of what “indie” music fans consider “independent,” since even the most obscure of artists in this genre have assets to a major label. Hell, the site even has Katy Perry tagged as “indie” along with Norwegian black metal acts.

So then where does the term “indie” even fit when it comes to classifying one’s genre, or professional boundaries for that matter?

How could the 40 Polaris long list nominees possibly be labeled as such despite being one of the competition’s most diverse set of candidates to date?

Would Blue Rodeo, who is undoubtedly one of Canada’s most prominent country acts be on par with hip hop troubadour Shad?

And where does Tegan and Sara fit into this mix?

They all fit snug inside the loose confines of being labeled “indie” despite sharing the same nationality at most. And it’s because

“indie” has digressed into becoming entirely subjective. Somehow it transcends musical barriers in being vaguely discernable, yet it also works as its own genre. And we accept it as a critical descriptor because, well, it wouldn’t be very indie in nature to question its own obscurity – which is something that is entirely understandable with our generation and labeling music, just as those of the 1990s lazily tagged artists as “alternative.” It’s a buzz-word. That’s it.

Er, “it.”

But labeling an award like the Polaris Music Prize as “indie” based on featuring some lesserknown artists and smaller label involvement is just silly. The range of nominated artists this year is a great indication of the variety in Canada’s burgeoning music industry, yet they’re blemished as “indie” and dismissed as exclusive to the competition’s “underdog” tendencies.

Again, the nature of the prize is based on artistic merit. A million fans may be right about contributing to industry sales for Bublé, but he’ll have to earn his place when he begins to compose his own music.

what does the word “indie” mean to you?

& dan hawie

“anything that’s on an

“broken social scene”

independent label” aaron joo

the silhouette’s art + culture magazine • D3

jenna shamoon

“it’s hard to define

“indiana jones?!”

because it’s so misused” jonathan falcon

mary irvan

jeb bearclaw

D4 • the silhouette’s art + culture magazine

film

thursday, october 14, 2010

if ain’t broke, don’t fix it film festival hit combines love story with rockumentary

This Movie is Broken Directed by: Bruce McDonald Starring: Greg Calderone, Georgina Reilly

urally between each other in Bruno’s quaint kitchen as though a major friend-zone threshold had not been crossed the previous night.

The conventional norms of a situation like this are not even touched; there are no obligatory expectations between the two (Bruno The opening sequence of This Movie is Broken doesn’t even have soap in his shower), and it is of a dimly lit stage featuring the band is clear to Caroline that it was “just sex.”

The movie continues to be unconBroken Social Scene, performing a song to a cheering audience. At the end of the perform- ventional in the most endearing way possible ance, lead singer Kevin Drew shouts, “Toron- by contrasting an overflowing garbage bin to! Give yourselves a round of applause for next to Bruno’s building with the blissful obyourselves!” The crowd goes wild. The gist of livion of Bruno walking right by it. The subtle the movie is described perfectly by this scene: irony within the composition of this scene is it is a movie featuring both Broken Social an indicator of the intricacy of Bruce McDonScene and Toronto’s love affair with them- ald’s direction. The movie was quite obviously filmed during the Toronto garbage strike, selves, at least on a surface level.

After the ten minute live perform- and McDonald managed to make it appear as ance that began the movie, we see a young a part of Toronto’s charming character.

Impressively experimental in dircouple lying together on a bare mattress that is sitting on the roof of an old Toronto ection, McDonald slips the focus back and building. Appropriate, since introducing the forth between the Broken Social Scene concharacters in the movie is a side note to the cert and the non-chronological unravelling of featured concert by BSS. Bruno (Greg Cal- the romantic plotline, eventually uniting the derone) narrates over the shot with the sleepy two when the couple attends the concert. He voice of afterglow: “I woke up this morning evokes emotions through mixing the organic beside Caroline Rush.” He says her name as and complexly layered instrumentals of BSS if she were the unattainable Holy Grail. with sequences that are edited in a variety

The amusing awkwardness of the of ways: grainy, black and white, fast repetimorning after is not present, as Caroline tive cuts that capture glimpse of the actor’s (Georgina Reilly) and Bruno have been faces, or slow focused shots that reveal deeper friends since childhood. The two weave nat- emotion. The result of the visual and musical

HHH

combinations is an unnameable mix of emotions that can seem like inspiration or nostalgia for something unknown and it leaves the audience in a vulnerable, open state.

While the direction is rich with emotion, the characters of Bruno and Georgina lack depth. The movie’s main characters are Broken Social Scene and the city of Toronto, which you intimately get to know through amazing band performances and numerous shots of Toronto landmarks.

Not much about the couple is revealed through dialogue because the movie communicates through sensory stimulation.

Bruno’s narration reveals a possible intent for the lack of dialogue when he says, “I think too much,” implying that he must simply feel and just be connected to the present moment without any expectation. He is overanalyzing his relationship with Caroline, which is a complication since she is attending school abroad in Paris and only visiting for one more night. Besides this insight into his character, the tool of Bruno’s narration is not fully utilized to communicate a depth of character.

This Movie is Broken contains a message that is perhaps not fully communicated to audiences. It is an ode to the band Broken Social Scene and their openness to unconventional ideas of music and performance.

Relinquishing expectations of definitions is what the movie attempts to translate.

There is a particular scene after Bruno attends the concert after party with his best male friend Blake. They get quite intoxicated, go back to Bruno’s apartment and end up having sex. It is by no means a life-altering moment for either of them, but instead a vulnerable moment shared between friends.

The scene probes audiences to suspend traditional sexual values and conventional norms of relationships by surprising them with this scene. However, since there was very little character building, I was confused as to how to interpret this scene, wondering whether the point of it was shock value. Broken Social Scene’s music remained organic and natural, while this sex scene seemed forced into the movie and unnatural to the characters.

The impressive qualities of Bruce McDonald’s direction skills would have been more suitable if he applied them to a Broken Social Scene music video. A music video would have exceeded in all the places where the movie fell short. This Movie is Broken would not persuade me to view it a second time, but it did persuade me to buy a ticket to see Broken Social Scene play at the Sound Academy in Toronto come December. BSS and Toronto were the real stars of the movie, after all.

•

Isabella Kun

music

thursday, october 14, 2010

now that i’m older stevens’ new release is his most extroverted yet Sufjan Stevens The Age of Adz

HHHH Last October I somehow procured two tickets to a tiny sold-out Sufjan Stevens show at Lee’s Palace, his first Toronto concert in over four years. The size of the room lent well to the intimacy of Stevens’ music - there probably weren’t even 200 people - but when the man strolled on stage, the crowd went off like a bomb. Without a word he picked up his banjo, casually tuned it and began plinking away at “The Mistress Witch from McClure”, at which point the room fell dead silent, his whispery lilt the only voice that could be heard.

Needless to say this show was mindblowing; each chord seemed to hug the entire room; Stevens’ unassuming, borderline awkward nature (bolstered by a particularly douchey toque perched like a tent atop his head) only enhanced the atmosphere of the show.

It was here I heard the first unpolished tastes of his recent EP All Delighted People, and new record The Age of Adz.

Since his purported “50 States Project” – releasing 50 albums, each about an American state - was revealed to be a promotional stunt, many wondered what would be next for Stevens. Although a compilation of Illinois B-sides, a Christmas album, an orchestral remix album, and a soundtrack score had all been released since 2005’s Illinois (his magnum opus), fans longed for a true followup record.

Just under two months ago, Stevens quietly released the hour-long People for $5 on bandcamp.com, setting the blogosphere atwitter. At the core of the EP are two interpretations of the title track: one a dazzling fusion of electric guitars, choral harmonies, and soaring strings; the other a more folksy rendition, featuring a fanfare of horns, a wailing guitar solo, and a huge refrain to bring the song home. Personally I loved it.

However despite initial excitement, critically it was met with tepid response, citing masturbatory instrumentation and a lack of emotion as its major downfalls, and casting a shadow of doubt on the LP he was expected to be preparing.

It is widely accepted that Illinois was one of the best albums of the decade; a sprawling work of baroque pop unlikely to be

outdone for a long time, and perhaps Stevens was aware of this. Thus, it seems to avoid disappointing those looking for Illinoisier, he has instead offered us Adz – in essence the Kid A to his OK Computer.

What is sure to be his most polarizing record, Adz marks a throwback to Stevens’ hectic electronic material seen on 2001’s Enjoy Your Rabbit, an instrumental album built around the Chinese zodiac. Where once were rustic banjos, are now bubbling synths; sleepy ballads about dying girlfriends have been replaced with spastic declarations that “I’m not fucking around”. That’s not to say Stevens has done a total stylistic 180 degree: all the elements one would expect of a Sufjan Stevens album are still here.

Swelling strings, flourishing woodwinds, and choral refrains are abundantly interwoven throughout the 75 minute playing time; except instead of basking in the slow-motion warmth of a Midwestern small town, this time they lie on a steel foundation of jittering electronics and fizzling distortion.

The schizophrenic nature of Adz makes for a somewhat overwhelming first listen, but ultimately satisfying subsequent plays. Title track “Age of Adz” is cold and abstract, featuring thunderous echoing bass and haunting operatic vocals; “Vesuvius” starts as a simple harmonious tune and builds to a frenzied glitch-laden climax; album highlight “Impossible Soul” is a 25-minute epic which serves as a perfect illustration of Adz’s chaotic mood shifts, and features a sprinkling of strangely appropriate auto-tune.

Exploring themes of obsession, death, questioning one’s faith, and apocalyptic visions, some might find Adz dark; however, ultimately it’s probably Stevens’ most personal and extroverted record, replacing his usual delicate imagery and hushed tones with a deliberate messy rawness.

Regardless, listeners would do well to not be disheartened by the album’s disjointed synthetic nature. Although Adz is coated in a thick blanket of dissonance and conflict, beneath lies incredible depth and beauty, which can be readily uncovered if given the chance. Having garnered enough respect with critics and fans to successfully pull off pretty much whatever musical leaps of faith he desires, it will be interesting to see not how his latest creation is received, but rather where Stevens will go from here.

•

Michael Hewak

the silhouette’s art + culture magazine • D5

feature

D6 • the silhouette’s art + culture magazine

thursday, october 14, 2010 • D7

california roll call It’s been said that Brian Wilson “conceived” Southern California. If that’s true, then these latest SoCal acts are reinventing it! Mixing equal parts Everly Brothers and retrofitted ‘80s pop – we present a list of the hottest L.A. and San Francisco acts you need to know about. Go, listen now!

ARIEL PINK’S HAUNTED GRAFFITI Strains of Los Angeles’ musical DNA ooze from his albums. Born Ariel Roesenberg, he and his band cut and paste classic radio melodies with experimental creativity. Their latest effort, Before Today, revisits Ariel’s back catalogue of songs, initially recorded on a tape recorder in his bedroom. Dusted off and beefed up, all 12 tracks are genrebending gems of synths and atmosphere. Pink himself, a longhaired, striped shirt wearing frontman, is arguably one of most fascinating pop weirdos to surface from the American Underground since Beck.

With its warm, sun drenched lore having attracted millions, the Californian ethos remains a keystone in American culture.

Yielding ubiquitous influence, the mere name drop of The Golden State evokes romanticized notions of immaculate climate, celebrities, designer couture, and distinct cadences of the surfer idiom.

While publicly acknowledged as the creative epicentre for film and television within the Western Hemisphere, Hollywood more specifically, its musical roots remain equally instrumental and transcendent in the scope of popular art.

California and its sound are as diverse as they are timeless, granting an identity to a slew of trends and genres, with traces of its genome woven through the likes of Psychedelia,

Folk, Punk, Hair Metal, and Gangsta Rap. The evolutionary 60-year arc of this aural landscape has fostered generations of listeners, having them intrinsically set their socio-cultural alarm clock to its invaluable frequency, securing a place amongst the sonic vocabulary of American mythology.

The previous decade has come and gone in awash of ambiguity, with a digital era having risen into predominance and the music industry dying a slow death, the loose coalition amongst bands from the once burgeoning new millennium exemplified at least two common traits: the ever encompassing “indie” labelling and the residency of New York City.

No other bands embodied this better than The Strokes and Interpol, whose sounds and style were

lauded by alternative listeners, as well as online journalism, which was still in its infancy at the time.

A changing of the guard has been seen in 2010, with Los Angeles and San Francisco seizing the reins from the east and moving to the Pacific seaboard. What has emerged from this coastal shift is an amalgamation of regional subgenres: garage, surf rock and lo-fi.

Uniformly, this fresh crop of talent retain thematic similarities, which tend to exert an affinity for nostalgia, harmony, fuzzed-out guitars, long hair, and a penchant for marijuana.

Yes, welcome to blissed out persona of Southern California (SoCal) Rock.

Best Coast, one of the SoCal’s most talked about acts, compris-

es the talents of singer and guitarist Bethany Cosentino (pictured above), multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno, and drummer Ali Koehler into hook laden mediations of love, jealously, and cats – all left in the sun to bake.

ANDY recently talked with Bruno about his music, his hometown, and the working rapport between he and Cosentino.

“Our relationship is very cool, we like a lot of the same stuff so it’s very easy to work together. Before we started recording any Best Coast music, we hung out and just talked about what we wanted to do musically and established a very direct way of communicating so as not to waste any time.

When Bethany started Best Coast, she basically wrote to me and said ‘you are doing this band with

me.’ I’ve always been a fan of her voice so I was more than happy to.”

Although some have criticized the band for a lack of lyrical depth, pointing directly at Cosentino’s repetitious “boyfriend” mantra or the rhyming scheme of “crazy/ lazy”, the music’s intent was never to wow its audience with a robust vocabulary in the first place. The music found on Best Coast’s debut is about feeling, a collaborative production of voice and atmosphere.

“Bethany writes all the songs and the lyrics. She’ll send me a demo and then I come up with my guitar parts, drums, and bass, and whatever other stuff. Then we just go into the studio and record them. We don’t get together and really work on stuff until we are actually recording the song.”

While SoCal may be a fitting abbreviation to the geographical location and music, the buzz surrounding the recent surge of local artists has been a long time coming, according to Bruno.

“I think the scene out here is just really diverse and the attention to bands out here has just been a really slow build. I think when a lot of people started to write about No Age and The Smell, they realized that their are lots of other interesting bands here and just started to pay more attention to what stuff was coming out of Los Angeles.”

Home to not only the band but to some of music’s most iconic landmarks, Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip and Laurel Canyon have inhibited a who’s who of rock royalty including The Doors, Frank Zappa, Jackson

Browne, and Joni Mitchell.

When asked where his inspiration lies in the city, Bruno responded candidly.

“I love Los Angeles, it’s where I’ve lived my whole life. The various music scenes out here have always been interesting and supportive of new bands, especially on the underground level. The weather is most inspiring to me cause when it’s cold or rainy, I don’t feel like doing anything.”

If weather is such an integral part to the band’s psychology, then why do they love playing Canada so much? “Our fans in Toronto have always been really supportive and are really vocal about their love of Best Coast.

This was our fifth show here this year, and so many people have

been to every one of them. They are very nice but also are into raging, the best combo.”

With a wonderfully dreamy album under their belt and a fan base that presumably consists of Bill Murray and Thurston Moore, it’s safe to say that Best Coast have arrived, elevating themselves and the SoCal scene from regional milieu to widespread acceptance and acclaim.

So what’s next?

“A lot of touring. Not worried about the sophomore slump either. My two favourite artists, Wilco and Fiona Apple both knocked it out of the park on album number two, so from that I draw inspiration.” Bruno concluded, “We just take it all in stride.”

•

Myles Herod

GIRLS Frontman Christopher Owens and guitarist Chet White create a sound that is simple and forthright. Packed with jangly guitars, hushed drums, and quavering harmonies, these San Francisco natives’ 2009 effort, Album, is a playful collection of break-up power pop. When we asked Bobb Bruno from Best Coast who his favourite SoCal contemporary was, he stated these guys. “I think their record is amazing.” As for Owens’ distinctive voice, it gets better with repeated listens. Trust me.

comedy

D8 • the silhouette’s art + culture magazine

comedy don’t get no respect learning the differences between comedy styles

If somebody said they liked Megadeth, you wouldn’t ask them if they liked Cyndi Lauper. So why is it that if someone said they liked Paul F. Tompkins, people might be inclined to ask if they like Jeff Foxworthy? It’s somewhat frustrating to comedy fans when people don’t quite get the fact that comedy is as diverse as any art form. One comedian’s style can often differ greatly from others. Think about it — the range of comedians stretches a broad spectrum of cultures and personalities, so it’s only natural that comedy becomes as diverse as the people who perform it.

When stand-up comedy was beginning to come into its own in the 1950’s, comics like Henny Youngman were just telling the kind of jokes you might hear your uncle tell at a family reunion. “The patient says, ‘Doctor, it hurts when I do this.’ ‘Then don’t do that!’ ” Good one. This is what stand-up comedy was though, and people loved it. Why wouldn’t they? Back then a doctor joke was considered edgy. Lenny Bruce gained popularity in the late 50’s and early 60’s with a much edgier style, which in fact earned him an obscenity charge in the state of New York.

Lenny Bruce set the precedent for social satire in comedy, and showed that comedy could be about much more than complaining about the wife.

So where is comedy now? Many people are familiar with the social satire that is ever present on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, but social satire is also the basis for many stand-ups and their material. Lewis Black’s act is largely built on his contempt for how stupid the world can be. David Cross has skewered not only politicians, but also the idea of what it means to be an American. Bill Maher is also well known for his commentary on American politics, though his liberal point of view tends to keep his style slightly more biased than it should be.

Social satire is really an offshoot of classic observational comedy. Observational comedy is probably the most popular style among famous comedians. George Carlin and Richard Lewis can be credited with

popularizing the style in the 70’s, but most people know that Jerry Seinfeld perfected the observational style. Bill Burr, Louis CK, and Jim Gaffigan (among many others) have spun observational humour into their own specific styles.

Observation is what most stand-up comedy is built on, even the one-liner style of comedy. However, one-liner jokes and shorter jokes in general are built more on a set-up/ punch line style, and may not necessarily be based on skewering reality. For example, “my fake plants died because I forgot to pretend to water them.” This joke belongs to the late Mitch Hedberg, whose unique style was built on his laid-back delivery and imaginative writing. Other comics who employ a similar style include Demetri Martin, Nick Thune, and Steven Wright. Of course one of the greatest comedians to use the one-liner style was Rodney Dangerfield, who mastered the art of stringing quick jokes together based on one premise.

The observational and one-liner styles both rely greatly on writing and vocal delivery. However, there is also the class of comedians that rely on a more physical presence to convey humour. This is not to say these comedians are weak writers, but rather their jokes rely heavily on a visual element. For example, Robin Williams built his style on fast delivery and also his physical stage presence.

Dane Cook, Nick Swardson, and Stewart Lee also employ a physical style in addition to their written material.

Like a musician, comedians each have their own tempo. They hit different beats, use a different rhythm, and even go as far as employing pitch and volume to perfect their style and delivery. Comedy is as much an art as any other kind of performance. It involves a great deal of work and imagination, as well as thick skin and quick wit. Comedy may make you laugh, but it still commands respect. So next time someone says they like Patton Oswalt, don’t ask if they also enjoy Carrot Top. They’re not the same thing.

•

Colin Leggett

thursday, october 14, 2010

thursday, october 14, 2010

off the web

taste kid tastekid.com

under the radar your mom is clubbin’ yourmomisclubbin.tumblr.com

This site generates the names of movies, bands, and books that it thinks you will like based on a single item you enter into the search box. It’s very helpful for finding new music to listen to and movies to enjoy that you’re almost guaranteed to like because it matches the taste of your original entry with media of similar taste. Very cool and useful.

the beat

A hilarious, public-submission based photoblog chronicling the unfortunate instances when scantily-clad middle-aged women take to the clubs. Accurately self-described as “The Internet’s #1 site dedicated to your clubbin’ @$$ mom.”

•

the silhouette’s art + culture magazine • D9

Jemma Wolfe

get your scene points!

gleerillaz Damon Albarn of hip-hopish band, Gorillaz, has preemptively denied the hit television show Glee, the right to use their songs in any of their episodes. Good thing Albarn cleared that up - they were almost certainly the next choice after Rachel Berry’s stirring rendition of, “What A Girl Wants.”

5 second films 5secondfilms.com There’s something magic about a site where all the videos can be watched in under five minutes and be funnier than most 30 minute sitcoms. Do you know what the beauty of a five second comedy sketch is? Even if you “your name is napoleon?” don’t like it, guess what? It’s already over.

• Jemma Wolfe It’s definitely worth checking out. Trust me, Fox has officially commissioned six episodes you’ve got time. of an animated adaptation of the hit film, Nashould i drink tonight poleon Dynamite, to premiere in the 2011/2012 shouldidrinktonight.com • Colin Leggett season. The show will feature many of the same characters and voices that appeared in This site offers concise and trustworthy adthe film and will still centre around Napovice about a problem that plagues many a leon’s misadventures. Gosh!

Mac student every weekend: “Should I drink tonight?”

•

Jemma Wolfe

we’re gonna see their fancy footwork Chomeo have announced an upcoming tour, “The Risky Business Tour” to be exact, in support of their latest album, Business Casual.

The duo will be hitting up Toronto’s, Opera House on Jan. 22, so get your tickets. One can only hope that Tom Cruise shows up in a white dress shirt and only a white dress shirt. enjoy your ballet A ballet is to be performed based on Sufjan Stevens’ album, Enjoy Your Rabbit, specifically the strings-heavy song, “Run Rabbit Run”. It will be performed at New York City’s Columbia University on Nov. 5 and 6. lindsay lohan craves coke-a-cola Lindsay Lohan was caught trying to escape California’s Betty Ford Centre earlier this week. She really needed a fix…a sugar fix. The clinic is without vending machines, and Lohan was reported to have really wanted a can of Coca Cola. Shoulda called Herbie.

• Roxanne Hathway-Baxter

D10 • the silhouette’s art + culture magazine

food

thursday, october 14, 2010

a slice of canada

we’re not just maple syrup and poutine MONTREAL (CUP) — In the mind of most people, the words Canadian and cuisine don’t go together. Other countries, like France and Italy, have internationally recognized menus whose popularity has crossed borders. Even Quebec has developed its own hearty cuisine, with poutine beginning to appear across the U.S. The closest thing to a distinctly Canadian culinary staple comes in a large paper cup from Tim Hortons.

Nathalie Cooke, a professor at McGill University, has some background in the matter. She is the founding editor of CuiZine: the Journal of Canadian Food Cultures, and, most recently, editor of What’s to Eat: Entrées in Canadian Food History, which was shortlisted for the 2010 Cuisine Canada Book Awards.

In an email, she explained the problem with trying to determine Canadian food identity: “Certainly, the notion of a singular Canadian culture is problematic ... With a multicultural population that includes successive waves of immigrants from around the world, in addition to descendants of the land’s First Nations, scepticism about a singular culinary culture is understandable.”

Margaret Webb, a writer and teacher at Toronto’s Ryerson University, echoed Cooke’s explanation that a particular food identity in Canada is difficult to pinpoint. “Because Canada is so large, it’s very difficult to have a national food identity,” she said.

She is hopeful, however, that this will change, mentioning that aside from an initial step to produce tastier food regionally, Canada also has great ethnic diversity. “When you bring people from all over the world and ... when these folks bring their food inclinations to Canada, and you marry that with great, local, diverse food, then you get this food culture that starts to be pretty uniquely Canadian.”

Webb is author of the recent Apples to Oysters: A Food Lover’s Tour of Canadian Farms, which raises awareness of the benefits of local and sustainable farming in Canada. The book profiles one farmer from each province and the Yukon

who grow an iconic Canadian food in a sustainable setting.

Webb described the book’s criteria as farmers that “had to be producing a food for quality and taste, not just ... a big production farm ... and environmental sustainability.”

Canadian food identity is mired in stereotypes, not all of which are unjustified, says Cooke. “Maple syrup is synonymous with Canadian foodways, in part because Canada is one of the only places, besides the northeast United States, with climatic conditions conducive to its production. Quebec remains the world’s primary maple syrup producer.”

But Webb is hoping to raise awareness for Canadians to create a lasting food identity for themselves. “Canadians have grown too disconnected from our food systems, so I wanted to give them a sense of ... where does our food come from, how is it grown, and what are the challenges these farmers are facing? Why is environmentally-sustainable food better tasting and better for the environment than all this industrial crap that we’re getting?”

When food is produced locally, organically and sustainably, it starts to take on a flavour of its own. To Webb, this means that local food is a necessary foundation for a distinct national cuisine.

“You’re raising animals, livestock properly, you know, on pasture, grass,” Webb explained. “If you’re growing food organically, you’re really working with the soil that’s in your particular region to create food that tastes of that soil and of that region, and you start to work with the natural advantages of that region ... Regional food identity all depends on sustainability.”

Despite the nation’s abundant natural resources, most of it is not being used in a sustainable or profitable way.

The discrepancy lies partly in a lack of motivation, Webb explains. “The one thing we lack, of course, is strong support and appreciation for good farming in this country, and a strong appreciation and support for quality ingredients ...

We have incredible opportunity but we ... don’t have a deep enough food culture.”

Another problem is the uninformed market. “Half of the best farmland in Canada, which is in Ontario, is devoted to corn and soybeans. It makes no sense. Most of us didn’t eat corn and soybeans for dinner last night, did we? Yet we did. It’s in all our food. It’s in our cattle, it feeds all of our livestock. It’s in all of our processed food. Essentially, if you have an industrial farm system, you have no food identity.”

Not only is Canada’s current agricultural system nutritionally detrimental, it is economically illogical, too.

“We’re producing these really, really cheap crops and farmers don’t make a lot of money from it, and then we export them and we’re not getting value out of them. Ontario ... is importing half of its food and it’s the food we’re actually eating. We really have to get back to feeding ourselves.”

Webb says that a growing movement toward local and sustainable agriculture is trumped by a lofty proportion of agriculture. “Canada kind of has to make a decision which way we’re going to go with this ‘cause the five per cent [of sustainable, organic food production] could be crushed like a bug tomorrow,” she said. It’s the mixture of materials and preparation methods that will shape a Canadian food identity.

“In Canada we have these fantastic ingredients.

There are few countries in the world that have more potential than Canada to produce amazing food. And then you marry that with all the incredible ethnic diversity coming into our country, who are [sic] going to bring all these food styles with them.”

Webb mentions Ukrainian immigration to the Prairies as an influence on the region’s cuisine — “Ukrainian meets prairie buffalo equals bison pierogies.” Although fusion cuisine is not a uniquely Canadian concept, it can be a good starting point for the development of a national food identity.

•

Zoë Robertson — The McGill Daily (McGill University)

in stereo

thursday, october 14, 2010

the silhouette’s art + culture magazine • D11

featured review Salem King Night

HHHH Salem’s first LP, King Night is strange. Filed under the genre of witch-house (what?) or southern rap, it’s not easily explained without a listen. Starting with self-titled track “King Night”, the album begins with a lo-fi recording of someone singing the first line of the Barney theme song, kicking into a strained synth over a choir singing “Silent Night”. The album uniquely blends gloomy sounds with somewhat of a rap influence without being too dreary or annoying, and it’s surprisingly engaging. Songs “Trapdoor” and “Tair” feature catchy, slowed-down rap vocals over the recurring drone sounding synths.

They’re sometimes layered with delayed vocal samples, which gives the album a full sound. Although the negative reviews of this album on the interweb are plentiful, it’s more of a love-hate relationship. Overall, I find this album fairly enjoyable and definitely worth listening to if you’re down for something different.

•

Justin Baird

The Set Monster

Never Shout Never Harmony

Bison B.C. Dark Ages

HHH

HHHH

HHHH

It turns out The Set’s, Monster is not as scary as it may sound. Toronto-based alternative rock band The Set’s album debut starts off pretty heavy with some ripping guitar, thumping drums and vocals reminiscent of Serj Tankions (System of a Down) and yet gets progressively softer with an unexpected introduction of the synth, acoustic guitar and vocals more in the likes of Jacob Hoggard (Hedley). The crazy thing about this Monster is that it actually pulls off the split personality fairly well. With tripped out instrumental breaks and aggressive drums to tap along to, the use of guitar and vocal effects fall together pretty nicely. Signed with Wax Records, which has signed such apathetically big name bands as Seether, Finger Eleven, and Creed, The Set may seem like they are doomed to the same level of mediocrity but with a little bit of luck and a good live performance, The Set’s set could be a monster worth paying attention to.

• Trevor Roach

When first learning that Never Shout Never had released a new album, I was skeptical. From listening to past hits like “What is Love?” I was expecting the same annoyingly catchy tune that was on his past albums. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Harmony is a more organic and developed album with a rich and earthy sound. As the artwork suggests, this album takes on a folkier sound, which is apparent in songs like “Piggy Bank.” Closing track “Sellout” proves to be the best on the album. Its lyrically driven sound allows it to be appreciated by listeners. Ultimately, Chris Ingle may not be well received by critics and is by no means the next radio hit, but he doesn’t need to be. He has managed to create an album that will keep fans happy and has helped him evolve into more of a lyricist.

• Alex Boudreau

I could spend this whole article describing how Vancouver’s Bison B.C. aren’t quite thrash, stoner, hardcore, doom or whatever. Instead, I’ll tell you that Dark Ages is balls-out metal and probably the most raw, most heavy record you’ll hear all year. While they are not particularly inventive or experimental, Bison is absolutely brutal. Thick, beefy guitars belt out righteous riffage over pounding rhythms and sandpaper vocals. The simplicity of it all is what makes this album great, it’s explosive, head-banging music devoid of any off-kilter or pretentious moments of more progressive acts. The band occasionally settles into a groove where a riff tends to lag a bit, however this merely highlights the mammoth guitar tone and fantastic old-school production.

With Dark Ages, Bison B.C. provides 40 minutes of visceral, no bullshit metal that isn’t particularly original, but certainly sets the bar high for bearded, beer-swilling metal heads everywhere.

• Chris Hoy

D12 • the silhouette’s art + culture magazine

film

thursday, october 14, 2010

accidental billionaires

fincher’s absorbing tale of friendship, greed and betrayal proves to be one of the year’s best

The Social Network Directed by: David Fincher Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake

HHHHH The Social Network got to me.

Almost anyone who has a Facebook account can instantly relate to its addictive persuasion of friend-searching and status updates. We live for it. And now, in today’s era of technological dependency, face-to-face communication has become a lost art, sadly enough. Perhaps that is why David Fincher’s newest film is so ironically brilliant. Here is a picture that seems to leap off the screen with style and immediacy.

Not only is its acting superb, but it also possesses a rhythmic dance of editing, dialogue and music which, at times, meshes into a visual ballet for the senses. Who knew that partying, programming, and betrayal could be so engaging?

The film opens on a fall night in 2003. Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), a Harvard undergrad, sits in a pub, debating his girlfriend, Erica (Rooney Mara), on the importance of popularity. In what accounts for an absorbing two minutes of rapid-fire truth and confession, she breaks off their courtship, quietly revealing his overriding flaw to him and the rest of the audience. “You are going to go through life thinking that girls don’t like you because you’re a nerd,” she says. “And I want you to know from the bottom of my heart that that won’t be true. It’ll be because you’re an asshole.”

She remains a recurring factor in his hunger for success and, ultimately, approval.

Back at his dorm he gets drunk, contemplates his breakup, and undertakes his revenge. Through the creation of a website, Facemash, which pits the attractiveness of girls

from residing residences against one another, he watches his joke accumulate 22,000 hits in a matter of hours. Crashing Harvard’s server, Zuckerberg, though punished by the institution, is revered as a hero by fellow students, attracting the attention of two business-savvy brothers, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (both played by Armie Hammer).

Along with their business partner, Divya Narendra (Max Minghella), the brothers pitch Zuckerberg the initial premise of Facebook, still unnamed, asking him to join the team and help launch their potentially lucrative endeavor.

While a simple nod and “yes” appease the trio, Zuckerberg has something else on his mind, a better idea in fact. He conceives a site where Harvard students interact online while also retaining their privacy through an invitation only process.

With the help of his best friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield), who fronts the money for most of its early development, “The Facebook” is born.

The Social Network does not dwell on this premise alone. If anything, the excesses associated with the young men’s fame take a back seat to manipulation and greed. In actuality, the film is a cautionary tale of the consequences of power, and how it can drive friends apart. In this instance, the catalyst happened to be the biggest website in the world, with Zuckerberg and Saverin at its mercy.

Aaron Sorkin’s mammoth 162-page script, delivering in just under two hours, is an impeccable mastery of dialogue written for the screen. While conscious and compelling, it is very knowledgeable too. Adapting a Rashomon-esque, structural framing device, the film delves into lawsuit depositions, introducing secondary characters while enriching the story’s arc by having us revisit the past through all three perspectives: Mark, Eduardo, and the Winklevoss twins. The dramatized account is quite potent

and emotionally absorbing.

The film is also a showcase for first-rate acting, featuring inspired casting choices. Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg creates not only a driven, socially awkward outcast, but also a sympathetic anti-hero. Remaining enigmatic throughout, we’re left wondering if Mark was simply an isolated jerk or a sufferer of Asperger’s syndrome, as is rumoured. His cunning performance remains captivating.

The other three main actors are also terrific. Justin Timberlake shines as Napster creator Sean Parker, a cocky and paranoid entrepreneur who recruits Mark into the high life of big money, big offices, and a bigger market. Armie Hammer has the difficult task of playing the identical Winkelvoss twins who chase after Zuckerberg with lawsuits.

He pulls it off wonderfully. But it’s Andrew Garfield who really deserves the recognition here. Playing Mark’s business partner Edudro Saverin, he embodies the most genuine character of the bunch with warm and inviting traits that only become more apparent as Zuckerberg’s betrayal destroys his life and their friendship.

In terms of directing, Fincher’s approach is exquisite, having the film reveal itself naturally, not forcefully in its murky, deep focus photography. Trent Reznor’s score should also be praised, heightening scenes from mere talking heads into pulsating beats of anticipation. The film itself is a rarity among contemporary mainstream cinema, a film that’s timely but not preachy. It penetrates business, computer technology, and college life effortlessly, transforming any novice viewer into a cultural pundit of today’s digital currency. I tend to agree with Fincher, who called his picture “the Citizen Kane of John Hughes movies.” As a modern biopic, The Social Network triumphs.

•Myles Herod